Robotic devices and systems for performing single incision procedures and natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgical procedures, and methods of configuring robotic devices and systems

ABSTRACT

Example embodiments relate to surgical systems comprising an end-effector assembly and arm assembly. The end-effector assembly may include a first instrument assembly having a first instrument and first instrument driven portion configurable to be driven to move the first instrument relative to a first axis. The arm assembly may include first and second arm assembly bodies, first arm assembly joint portion for joining the first and second arm assembly bodies, first instrument drive assembly, and first arm assembly drive assembly. The first instrument drive assembly may include a first integrated motor and first instrument drive portion controllable by the first integrated motor to drive the first instrument driven portion. The first arm assembly drive assembly may include a second integrated motor and first arm assembly drive portion controllable by the second integrated motor to drive the first arm assembly body to move relative to the second arm assembly body.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/340,678 (filed on Nov. 1, 2016, which is a continuation-in-part ofU.S. application Ser. No. 14/693,207 (filed on Apr. 22, 2015, whichclaims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/982,717, filed onApr. 22, 2014), U.S. application Ser. No. 15/044,895 (filed on Feb. 16,2016, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.14/693,207), and U.S. application Ser. No. 15/044,889 (filed on Feb. 16,2016, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.14/693,207)), the contents of all of which are hereby expresslyincorporated by reference in their entirety, including the contents andteachings of any references contained therein.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to systems, devices, andmethods, and more specifically, relates to systems, devices, and methodsfor use in performing procedures via a single incision or a naturalorifice.

Conventional surgical procedures will generally require one or morelarge incisions to a patient in order for the surgical team to perform asurgical action. With the advancement of medical science and technology,most conventional open surgical procedures have been largely replacedwith minimally invasive surgery (MIS) procedures. Recent developments inrespect to computer-assisted and/or robotic surgical technology havecontributed to advancements in MIS, including the ability to translate asurgeon's desired actions into movements of robotic instruments insidethe body cavity of a patient.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Despite recent developments in modern medical science and technology, itis recognized in the present disclosure that one or more problems areencountered in modern surgical technology and methodology. For example,a typical MIS procedure requires multiple incisions to a patient inorder to allow access via the incisions for the insertion of a cameraand various other laparoscopic instruments into the body cavity of thepatient.

As another example, surgical robotic devices oftentimes encounterdifficulties during surgical procedures due to insufficient anchoringand/or reactive forces to stabilize against forces that are desiredand/or necessary to be applied during surgical actions.

It is also recognized in the present disclosure that surgical roboticsystems face difficulties in providing an instrument, such as a cuttingor gripping instrument attached to the end of a surgical robotic arm,with access to all or even most parts, areas, and/or quadrants ofabdominal cavity of a patient. That is, after the surgical robotic armis inserted in the abdominal cavity of the patient and ready to performa surgical action, the instrument attached to the end of the surgicalrobotic arm is typically limited to access only certain parts, areas,and quadrants of the abdominal cavity of the patient.

In yet another example, known surgical robotic systems typically provideonly between one to two surgical robotic arms per access or opening(such as an incision or a natural orifice) of the patient. In thisregard, one or more additional incisions will be required for theinsertion of a camera and various laparoscopic instruments into theabdominal cavity of the patient.

As another example, while known surgical robotic systems have beendesigned for use in an abdominal cavity of a patient to performforward-directed surgical procedures, such systems have not beendesigned for and may encounter problems when applied in situationsrequiring reverse-directed surgical procedures. For example, such knownsurgical robotic systems have not been designed for deployment through anatural orifice, such as a rectum or vagina, for performing naturalorifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (or NOTES), such as pelvicgynecological and/or urological procedures. Such systems may encounterone or more problems, such as the inability to access certain organs,tissues, or other surgical sites upon insertion into the naturalorifice.

Present example embodiments relate generally to systems, devices, andmethods for addressing one or more problems in surgical robotic systems,devices, and methods, including those described above and herein.

In an exemplary embodiment, a surgical system is described in thepresent disclosure. The surgical system may be for use in performingnatural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES). The surgicalsystem may comprise an end-effector assembly, a first arm assembly, anda second arm assembly. The may include a first instrument assembly and awrist assembly. The first instrument assembly may include a firstinstrument for performing a surgical action. The first instrumentassembly may further include a first instrument driven portionconfigurable to be driven in such a way as to move the first instrumentrelative to a first axis. The wrist assembly may be securable to thefirst instrument assembly. The wrist assembly may include a wrist drivenportion configurable to be driven in such a way as to move the firstinstrument relative to a second axis, the second axis being differentfrom the first axis. The first arm assembly may be securable to theend-effector assembly. The first arm assembly may include a first armassembly body, a first arm assembly joint portion, a wrist connectorportion, a first instrument drive assembly, a wrist drive assembly, anda first arm assembly drive assembly. The first arm assembly body mayinclude a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. Thefirst arm assembly joint portion may be for use in joining the first armassembly to a second arm assembly. The first arm assembly joint portionmay be secured to the first end of the first arm assembly body. Thewrist connector portion may be configurable to secure to the wristassembly. The first instrument drive assembly may be securely housed inthe first arm assembly body. The first instrument drive assembly mayinclude at least a first integrated motor and a first instrument driveportion. The first instrument drive portion may be controllable by thefirst integrated motor to drive the first instrument driven portion whenthe wrist connector portion is secured to the wrist assembly. The wristdrive assembly may be securely housed in the first arm assembly body.The wrist drive assembly may include at least a second integrated motorand a wrist drive portion. The wrist drive portion may be controllableby the second integrated motor to drive the wrist driven portion whenthe wrist connector portion is secured to the wrist assembly. The firstarm assembly drive assembly may be securely housed in the first armassembly body. The first arm assembly drive assembly may include atleast a third integrated motor and a first arm assembly drive portion.The first arm assembly drive portion may be controllable by the thirdintegrated motor to drive the first arm assembly body to move relativeto the second arm assembly.

In another exemplary embodiment, a surgical system is described in thepresent disclosure. The surgical system may be for use in performingnatural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES). The surgicalsystem may comprise an end-effector assembly and an arm assembly. Theend-effector assembly may include a first instrument assembly. The firstinstrument assembly may include a first instrument for performing asurgical action. The first instrument assembly may also include a firstinstrument driven portion configurable to be driven in such a way as tomove the first instrument relative to a first axis. The arm assembly mayinclude a first arm assembly body, a second arm assembly body, a firstarm assembly joint portion, an end-effector connector portion, a firstinstrument drive assembly, and a first arm assembly drive assembly. Thefirst arm assembly body may include a first end and a second endopposite to the first end. The second arm assembly body may include afirst end and a second end opposite to the first end. The first armassembly joint portion may be for use in joining the first arm assemblybody to the second arm assembly body. The first arm assembly jointportion may be secured to the first end of the first arm assembly body.The end-effector connector portion may be provided at the second end ofthe first arm assembly body. The end-effector connector portion may beconfigurable to secure to at least a portion of the end-effectorassembly. The first instrument drive assembly may include at least afirst integrated motor and a first instrument drive portion. The firstinstrument drive portion may be controllable by the first integratedmotor to drive the first instrument driven portion when the end-effectorconnector portion is secured to the end-effector assembly. The first armassembly drive assembly may include at least a second integrated motorand a first arm assembly drive portion. The first arm assembly driveportion may be controllable by the second integrated motor to drive thefirst arm assembly body to move relative to the second arm assemblybody.

In another exemplary embodiment, a surgical system is described in thepresent disclosure. The surgical system may be for use in performingnatural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES). The surgicalsystem may comprise an end-effector assembly and a first arm assemblysecurable to the end-effector assembly. The end-effector assembly mayinclude a first instrument assembly and a wrist assembly. The firstinstrument assembly may include a first instrument for performing asurgical action and a first instrument driven portion configurable to bedriven in such a way as to move the first instrument relative to a firstaxis. The wrist assembly may be securable to the first instrumentassembly. The wrist assembly may include a wrist driven portionconfigurable to be driven in such a way as to move the first instrumentrelative to a second axis, the second axis being different from thefirst axis. The first arm assembly may include a first arm assemblybody, a wrist connector portion, a first instrument drive assembly, anda wrist drive assembly. The first arm assembly body may include a firstend and a second end opposite to the first end. The wrist connectorportion may be provided at the first end of the first arm assembly body.The wrist connector portion may be configurable to secure to the wristassembly. The first instrument drive assembly may be securely housed inthe first arm assembly body. The first instrument drive assembly mayinclude at least a first integrated motor and a first instrument driveportion. The first instrument drive portion may be controllable by thefirst integrated motor to drive the first instrument driven portion whenthe wrist connector portion is secured to the wrist assembly. The wristdrive assembly may be securely housed in the first arm assembly body.The wrist drive assembly may include at least a second integrated motorand a wrist drive portion. The wrist drive portion may be controllableby the second integrated motor to drive the wrist driven portion whenthe wrist connector portion is secured to the wrist assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, exampleembodiments, and their advantages, reference is now made to thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features, and:

FIG. 1A is illustration of a perspective view of an example embodimentof an external anchor;

FIG. 1B is another illustration of a perspective view of an exampleembodiment of an external anchor attached to an example embodiment of aport assembly;

FIG. 2A is an illustration of a perspective view of an exampleembodiment of a surgical device configured in a reverse-directedposition with one port assembly, one instrument arm assembly, and oneimage capturing assembly;

FIG. 2B is an illustration of a perspective view of an exampleembodiment of a surgical device configured in a forward-directedposition with one port assembly, one instrument arm assembly, and oneimage capturing assembly;

FIG. 3A is another illustration of a perspective view of another exampleembodiment of a surgical device configured in a reverse-directedposition with one port assembly, one instrument arm assembly, and oneimage capturing assembly;

FIG. 3B is another illustration of a perspective view of another exampleembodiment of a surgical device configured in a forward-directedposition with one port assembly, one instrument arm assembly, and oneimage capturing assembly;

FIG. 4A is an illustration of a perspective exploded view of an exampleembodiment of a port assembly;

FIG. 4B is an illustration of a side view of an example embodiment of aport assembly;

FIG. 4C is an illustration of a cross-sectional view of an exampleembodiment of a port assembly with a first or second gate assembly inthe open position;

FIG. 4D is an illustration of a cross-sectional view of an exampleembodiment of a port assembly with a first or second gate assembly inthe closed position;

FIG. 5A is an illustration of a side view of an example embodiment of aninstrument arm assembly;

FIG. 5B is another illustration of a side view of an example embodimentof an instrument arm assembly;

FIG. 5C is an illustration of a perspective view of an exampleembodiment of an instrument arm assembly;

FIG. 5D is an illustration of a side view of an example embodiment of anend-effector assembly secured to an arm assembly;

FIG. 5E is an illustration of a side cross-sectional view of an exampleembodiment of an end-effector assembly secured to an arm assembly;

FIG. 5F is an illustration of a side view of an example embodiment of anend-effector assembly unsecured from an arm assembly;

FIG. 5G is an illustration of a side cross-sectional view of an exampleembodiment of an end-effector assembly unsecured from an arm assembly;

FIG. 5H is an illustration of a perspective view of an exampleembodiment of an end-effector assembly;

FIG. 5I is an illustration of a perspective view of an exampleembodiment of an instrument with an insulative portion;

FIG. 5J is an illustration of a top cross-sectional view of an exampleembodiment of an arm assembly;

FIG. 5K is an illustration of a perspective view of an exampleembodiment of an arm assembly;

FIG. 5L is an illustration of a side view of an example embodiment of aninstrument arm assembly;

FIG. 5M is an illustration of a side cross-sectional view of an exampleembodiment of an instrument arm assembly;

FIG. 5N is an illustration of a top cross-sectional view of an exampleembodiment of a second arm assembly;

FIG. 5O is an illustration of a transparent perspective partial view ofan example embodiment of an instrument arm assembly;

FIG. 6A is an illustration of a perspective view of an exampleembodiment of an image capturing assembly;

FIG. 6B is an illustration of a cross sectional view of another exampleembodiment of an image capturing assembly having an internal temperaturecontrol assembly;

FIG. 6C is an illustration of perspective views of another exampleembodiment of an image capturing assembly having internal temperaturecontrol assemblies;

FIG. 6D is an illustration of a perspective view of the system inoperation in a cavity of a patient, including a second image capturingassembly;

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method for configuring asurgical device;

FIGS. 8A-E are illustrations of a side view of an example embodiment ofa method of configuring a surgical device in a forward-directedposition;

FIGS. 8F-K are illustrations of a side view of an example embodiment ofa method of configuring a surgical device in a reverse-directedposition;

FIG. 9A is an illustration of a perspective view of an exampleembodiment of a surgical device system;

FIG. 9B is an illustration of a perspective view of another exampleembodiment of a surgical device system;

FIG. 10A is an illustration of a perspective view of an exampleembodiment of an external anchor; and

FIG. 10B is an illustration of a perspective view of another exampleembodiment of an external anchor.

Although similar reference numbers may be used to refer to similarelements in the figures for convenience, it can be appreciated that eachof the various example embodiments may be considered to be distinctvariations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part of the present disclosure, andwhich illustrate example embodiments which may be practiced. As used inthe present disclosure and the appended claims, the terms “exampleembodiment,” “exemplary embodiment,” and “present embodiment” do notnecessarily refer to a single embodiment, although they may, and variousexample embodiments may be readily combined and/or interchanged withoutdeparting from the scope or spirit of example embodiments. Furthermore,the terminology as used in the present disclosure and the appendedclaims is for the purpose of describing example embodiments only and isnot intended to be limitations. In this respect, as used in the presentdisclosure and the appended claims, the term “in” may include “in” and“on,” and the terms “a,” “an” and “the” may include singular and pluralreferences. Furthermore, as used in the present disclosure and theappended claims, the term “by” may also mean “from,” depending on thecontext. Furthermore, as used in the present disclosure and the appendedclaims, the term “if” may also mean “when” or “upon,” depending on thecontext. Furthermore, as used in the present disclosure and the appendedclaims, the words “and/or” may refer to and encompass any and allpossible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

It is recognized in the present disclosure that, despite recentdevelopments in medical science and technology, one or more problems areencountered in modern surgical technology and methodology, includingMIS. For example, a typical MIS procedure requires multiple incisions toa patient in order to allow access via the incisions for the insertionof a camera and various other laparoscopic instruments into the bodycavity of the patient.

In addition to the aforementioned disadvantages pertaining to themultiple and rather large incisions, it is recognized in the presentdisclosure that surgical robotic systems, including surgical roboticarms (and those instruments attached to them), developed for performingrobotic-assisted MIS surgical procedures also suffer from one or moreproblems. For example, it is recognized herein that a major technicalchallenge for a surgical robotic system is the difficulty in providingsufficient anchoring and/or reactive forces to stabilize against forcesthat are desired and/or necessary to be applied to the patient by thesurgical robotic system during a surgical action. In this regard,certain surgical actions for known surgical robotic systems may requiretremendous effort and time, and may not be performed properly or at allas a result of the problem of insufficient anchoring and/or reactiveforces.

Another example of a problem recognized in the present disclosure asbeing encountered by surgical robotic systems is the difficulty inproviding an instrument, such as a cutting and/or gripping instrumentattached to the end of a surgical robotic arm, with access to all oreven most parts, areas, and quadrants of an abdominal cavity of apatient after the surgical robotic system has been set up (or installed)and is ready to perform a surgery. That is, after the surgical roboticarm of the system has been inserted, attached, and properly set up inthe abdominal cavity of the patient and is ready to perform a surgicalaction, the instrument attached to the end of the surgical robotic armis typically limited to access only certain parts, areas, and quadrantsof the abdominal cavity of the patient. It is recognized in the presentdisclosure that such problems result in large from the limited number ofpossible degrees of freedom that can be provided by known surgicalrobotic systems and arms, and more specifically, the limited number ofin vivo degrees of freedom (i.e. the degrees of freedom provided withinan abdominal cavity of a patient) of known surgical robotic systems andarms. In this regard, surgical robotic systems typically provide onlybetween 2 to 4 in vivo degrees of freedom for each surgical robotic arm.

As another example, while known surgical robotic systems have beendesigned for use in an abdominal cavity of a patient to performforward-directed surgical procedures, such systems have not beendesigned for and may encounter problems when applied in situationsrequiring reverse-directed surgical procedures. For example, such knownsurgical robotic systems have not been designed for deployment through anatural orifice, such as a rectum or vagina, for performing naturalorifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (or NOTES), such astrans-vaginal gynecological procedures in women and trans-rectalurological procedures in men. Such systems may encounter one or moreproblems, such as the inability to access certain organs, tissues, orother surgical sites upon insertion into the natural orifice.

Surgical systems, devices, and methods, including those for use in MISand natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (or NOTES), aredescribed in the present disclosure for addressing one or more problemsof known surgical systems, devices, and methods, including thosedescribed above and in the present disclosure. It is to be understoodthat the principles described in the present disclosure can be appliedoutside of the context of MIS and/or NOTES, such as performingscientific experiments and/or procedures in environments that are notreadily accessible by humans, including in a vacuum, in outer space,and/or under toxic and/or dangerous conditions, without departing fromthe teachings of the present disclosure.

The Surgical System (e.g., Surgical Device 200)

An illustration of an example embodiment of a surgical device or system(e.g., surgical device or system 200) operable to be inserted into anabdominal cavity of a patient through a single access or opening (e.g.,a single incision (such as an incision in or around the umbilical area)or through a natural orifice (such as a rectum or vagina, for performingnatural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (or NOTES), hereinafterreferred to as an “opening”) of the patient is depicted in FIG. 2A andFIG. 2B. The surgical device may then be anchored so as to position thesurgical device 200 in the opening. The surgical device 200 may comprisea port assembly 210 and an instrument arm assembly 230. The surgicaldevice 200 may also comprise other elements, such as one or more otherinstrument arm assemblies, one or more image capturing assemblies, oneor more assistant arm assemblies, etc.

As illustrated in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, the surgical device 200 may beprovided with an external anchor 1 attachable to the port assembly 210.The external anchor 1 may comprise a configurable assembly of segments2, 6, 10, and 14 in communication with one another via joints orconnecting portions 4, 8, and 12, and external anchor connector 16. Theexternal anchor 1 may be operable to securely fix the position and/ororientation (hereinafter “position”) of the port assembly 210 in orabout the single opening of the patient, and may also be operable toprovide sufficient anchoring and/or reactive forces to stabilize againstforces desired and/or necessary to be applied by at least one or moreelements of the surgical device 200, including the instrument armassembly 230, during a surgical action or procedure. The external anchor1, which may also be in the form of the controllable swivel assembly1000 illustrated in FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B, may be operable to cooperatewith the port assembly 210 to provide one or more in vitro degrees offreedom. For example, the external anchor 1 may be configurable toprovide 3 in vitro degrees of freedom. In example embodiments, the oneor more in vitro degrees of freedom may include a torsional movement,pivotal movement, telescopic movement, and/or other movements of theport assembly 210 relative to the external anchor 1. For example, atorsional movement of the port assembly 210, as illustrated by arrow Ain FIG. 1B, may allow one or more attached instruments, including aninstrument arm assembly 230, to re-position during a surgical procedure(i.e. after set up or installation) so as to access other parts, areas,and/or all quadrants of the abdominal cavity of the patient. As anotherexample, a pivotal movement of the port assembly 210, as illustrated byarrow B in FIG. 1B, may allow the port assembly 210 to be positioned inone of a plurality of angles with respect to opening of the patient, andmay also allow attached instruments, including the instrument armassembly 230, to re-position during a surgical procedure (i.e. after setup or installation) so as to access distal areas of the abdominal cavityof the patient. The other joint portions of the external anchor 1 mayalso be operable to cooperate and/or assist in desired movements of theport assembly 210. The external anchor 1 may be anchored to one or morestationary or fixedly positioned objects, such as a side rail 300 of asurgical table/bed illustrated in FIG. 1A. FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrateother example movements that provide for additional in vitro degrees offreedom via an example embodiment of the external anchor (controllableswivel assembly) 1000. The controllable swivel assembly 1000 will befurther described below in at least the section “(1) Providing theexternal anchor and installing the port assembly.”

The surgical device 200 may further comprise one or more additionalinstrument arm assemblies, such as a second instrument arm assembly 240illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, attachable to the port assembly 210. Oneor more of the instrument arm assemblies, including the first instrumentarm assembly 230, the second instrument arm assembly 240, a thirdinstrument arm assembly (not shown), a fourth instrument arm assembly(not shown), etc., may be attachable or securable to the port assembly210. Such instrument arm assemblies may be operable to access andperform one or more surgical actions in/on any and all parts, areas,and/or quadrants within a cavity of the patient. For example, surgicaldevice 200 may be configurable to perform surgical actions in a forwarddirection (or “forward-directed position” or “forward position”) (e.g.,as illustrated in FIGS. 2B and 3B). As another example, surgical device200 may be configurable to perform surgical actions in a reversedirection (or “reverse-directed position” or “reverse position”) (e.g.,as illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 3A).

The surgical device 200 may also comprise one or more image capturingassemblies, such as image capturing assembly 220. The surgical device200 may further comprise one or more assistant arm assemblies, such as aretractor arm assembly 250, as illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B.Furthermore, the surgical device 200 may comprise one or more otherinstrument arm assemblies, such as suction/irrigation assembly 260,illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B, that can be inserted into theopening of the patient via the port assembly 210 before, during, and/orafter performing a surgical action or procedure. It is to be understoodin the present disclosure that the surgical device 200 may beconfigurable in a plurality of configurations and arrangements,including having more or less than two instrument arm assemblies (suchas third, fourth, fifth, etc. instrument arm assemblies), more than oneimage capturing assembly (such as second, third, etc. image capturingassemblies), more or less than one assistant arm assembly (such assecond, third, etc. assistant arm assemblies), and/or more or less thanone other laparoscopic tool in example embodiments without departingfrom the teachings of the present disclosure.

The Port Assembly (e.g., Port Assembly 210)

An example embodiment of the port assembly (e.g., port assembly 210) isillustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B, FIG. 4C, and FIG.4D. The port assembly 210 may be configurable to be inserted in or abouta single opening of the patient (such as a single incision or a naturalorifice) and fixed in position by at least the external anchor (such asthe external anchor 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B and thecontrollable swivel assembly 1000 illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B).

The port assembly 210 may be an elongated structure having a centralaccess channel 210 a formed through the port assembly 210. The centralaccess channel 210 a may be for use in inserting and removinginstruments, such as one or more instrument arm assemblies 230, 240, oneor more image capturing assemblies 220, one or more assistant armassemblies 250, 260, etc. In an example embodiment, the port assembly210 may include a first end section 212 and a second end section 214.The first end section 212 and second end section 214 may be fixablyattachable to one another or formed as a unitary article. The portassembly 210 may also include a mid section 213 between the first endsection 212 and the second end section 214. The first end section 212,second end section 214, and mid section 213 may be fixably attachable toone another, as illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, or two or more of thesesections may be formed as a unitary article. In an example embodiment,the first end section 212 may be the portion of the port assembly 210that is secured to the external anchor 1, and the port assembly 210 maybe fixed in position at an angle θ relative to the singe opening of thepatient of between about 0 to +/−90 degrees. These and other elements ofthe port assembly 210 will now be described below and with reference toFIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, and 4A-D.

As illustrated in at least FIGS. 4A and 4B, the port assembly 210 maycomprise a first end section 212. The first end section 212 may have afirst end channel 212 a formed through the first end section 212. Thefirst end channel 212 a may be considered as a part of the centralaccess channel 210 a. The first end section 212 may also include aportion operable to be secured to the external anchor 1, such as aportion on an exterior portion of the first end section 212.

The first end section 212 may also include a first gate assembly 212 b,as illustrated in FIGS. 4A, 4C, and 4D. The first gate assembly 212 maybe configurable to control access through the first end channel 212 a.For example, the first gate assembly 212 b may be configurable to be inan open position, as illustrated in FIG. 4C, so as to allow accessthrough the first end channel 212 a. The first gate assembly 212 b mayalso be configurable to be in a closed position, as illustrated in FIG.4D, so as to prevent or restrict access through the first end channel212 a. The first gate assembly 212 b may also be configurable to be in apartially closed (or partially opened) position (not shown). The firstgate assembly 212 b may also be configurable to transition between theclosed position and the open position.

In an example embodiment, the first gate assembly 212 b may be providedwithin the first end section 212 in such a way that, when the first gateassembly 212 b is configured to be in the open position, as illustratedin FIG. 4C, the first end channel 212 a is substantially or completelyunobstructed by the first gate assembly 212 b. The first gate assembly212 b may be configured to be in the open position when a surgeondesires to insert (or remove) an instrument into (or out of) the cavityof the patient via the first end channel 212 a (and the rest of thecentral access channel 210 a).

Similarly, the first gate assembly 212 b may be provided within thefirst end section 212 in such a way that, when the first gate assembly212 b is configured to be in the closed position, as illustrated in FIG.4D, the first end channel 212 a is substantially or completelyobstructed by the first gate assembly 212 b. The first gate assembly 212b may be configured to be in the closed position when a surgeon desiresto maintain an insufflation of the cavity of the patient and/or when thesurgeon does not need to insert (or remove) an instrument into (or outof) the cavity of the patient via the first end channel 212 a.

The first gate assembly 212 b may include a first expandable portion 212b configurable to expand when the first gate assembly 212 b isconfigured to the closed position, as illustrated in FIG. 4D. When thefirst gate assembly 212 b is configured to the closed position, thefirst expandable portion 212 b may be operable to substantially orcompletely block, among other things, a gas medium (and/or other medium)from passing through the first end channel 212 a. For example, if thecavity of the patient is being insufflated using a gas, such as carbondioxide (CO₂), the first gate assembly 212 b (i.e., the first expandableportion 212 b) may be configurable to substantially prevent the carbondioxide gas from leaving the cavity of the patient through the first endchannel 212 a.

The first expandable portion 212 b may include one or more firstexpandable members. For example, the first expandable portion 212 b mayinclude six expandable members, as illustrated in FIGS. 4C and 4D. It isto be understood that the first expandable portion 212 b may includemore or less than six expandable members without departing from theteachings of the present disclosure. Some or all of the first expandablemembers may be integrated together and/or in communication with oneanother, such as in a manner where some or all of the first expandablemembers are operable to receive pressure (i.e., gas medium) from acommon or same first source 212 b′. For example, when the first gateassembly 212 b is configured to the closed position, the first source212 b′ may be configurable to provide a positive pressure (i.e., asupply of gas) so as to cause some or all of the first expandablemembers to expand and block the first end channel 212 a (e.g.,hermetically block the first end channel 212 a). Similarly, when thefirst gate assembly 212 b is configured to the open position, the firstsource 212 b′ may be configurable to provide a negative pressure (i.e.,remove gas) so as to cause one or more (or all) of the first expandablemembers to not expand (and/or contract) and unblock the first endchannel 212 a. It is to be understood that more than one first sources212 b′ may provide the positive pressure and negative pressure to theone or more expandable members without departing from the teachings ofthe present disclosure.

It is recognized in the present disclosure that the first gate assembly212 b may also include a valve (not shown), or the like, in addition toor in replacement of the first expandable portion 212 b. The valve maybe configurable to perform substantially the same actions of blockingthe first end channel 212 a when the first gate assembly 212 b isconfigured to the closed position and unblocking the first end channel212 a when the first gate assembly 212 b is configured to the openposition. The valve may be any type of valve configurable to perform theactions described above and in the present disclosure. The valve mayinclude, but is not limited to including, a ball valve, gate valve,etc., so long as the valve is configurable to substantiallyblock/unblock the first end channel 212 a and prevent a gas medium frompassing through the first end channel 212 a.

The port assembly 210 may also include the second end section 214, asillustrated in at least FIGS. 4A and 4B. The second end section 214 mayhave a second end channel 214 a formed through the second end section214. The second end channel 214 a may be substantially or completelyaligned with the first end channel 212 a. The second end channel 214 a,as well as the first end channel 212 a, may be considered as a part ofthe central access channel 210 a in example embodiments. The second endsection 214 may also include an insufflation port (not shown) for use inproviding insufflation to the cavity of the patient.

The second end section 214 may also include a second gate assembly 214,as illustrated in FIGS. 4A, 4C, and 4D. The second gate assembly 214 maybe configurable to control access through the second end channel 214 a.For example, the second gate assembly 214 b may be configurable to be inan open position, as illustrated in FIG. 4C, so as to allow accessthrough the second end channel 214 a. The second gate assembly 214 b mayalso be configurable to be in a closed position, as illustrated in FIG.4D, so as to prevent or restrict access through the second end channel214 a. The second gate assembly 214 b may also be configurable to be ina partially closed (or partially opened) position (not shown). Thesecond gate assembly 214 b may also be configurable to transitionbetween the closed position and the open position.

In an example embodiment, the second gate assembly 214 b may be providedwithin the second end section 212 in such a way that, when the secondgate assembly 214 b is configured to be in the open position, asillustrated in FIG. 4C, the second end channel 214 a is substantially orcompletely unobstructed by the second gate assembly 214 b. The secondgate assembly 214 b may be configured to be in the open position when asurgeon desires to insert (or remove) an instrument into (or out of) thecavity of the patient via the second end channel 214 a (and the rest ofthe central access channel 210 a).

Similarly, the second gate assembly 214 b may be provided within thesecond end section 214 in such a way that, when the second gate assembly214 b is configured to be in the closed position, as illustrated in FIG.4D, the second end channel 214 a is substantially or completelyobstructed by the second gate assembly 214 b. The second gate assembly214 b may be configured to be in the closed position when a surgeondesires to maintain an insufflation of the cavity of the patient and/orwhen the surgeon does not need to insert (or remove) an instrument into(or out of) the cavity of the patient via the second end channel 214 a.

The second gate assembly 214 b may include a second expandable portion214 b configurable to expand when the second gate assembly 214 b isconfigured to the closed position, as illustrated in FIG. 4D. When thesecond gate assembly 214 b is configured to the closed position, thesecond expandable portion 214 b may be operable to substantially orcompletely block, among other things, a gas medium (and/or other medium)from passing through the second end channel 214 a. For example, if thecavity of the patient is being insufflated using a gas, such as carbondioxide (CO₂), the second gate assembly 214 b (i.e., the secondexpandable portion 214 b) may be configurable to substantially preventthe carbon dioxide gas from leaving the cavity of the patient throughthe second end channel 214 a.

The second expandable portion 214 b may include one or more secondexpandable members. For example, the second expandable portion mayinclude six expandable members, as illustrated in FIGS. 4C and 4D. It isto be understood that the second expandable portion 214 b may includemore or less than six expandable members without departing from theteachings of the present disclosure. Some or all of the secondexpandable members may be integrated together and/or in communicationwith one another, such as in a manner where some or all of the secondexpandable members are operable to receive pressure (i.e., gas medium)from a common or same second source 214 b′. For example, when the secondgate assembly 214 b is configured to the closed position, the secondsource 214 b′ may be configurable to provide a positive pressure (i.e.,a supply of gas) so as to cause some or all of the second expandablemembers to expand and block the second end channel 214 a (e.g.,hermetically block the second end channel 214 a). Similarly, when thesecond gate assembly 214 b is configured to the open position, thesecond source 214 b′ may be configurable to provide a negative pressure(i.e., remove gas) so as to cause some or all of the second expandablemembers to not expand (and/or contract) and unblock the second endchannel 214 a. It is to be understood that more than one second sources214 b′ may provide the positive pressure and negative pressure to theone or more expandable members without departing from the teachings ofthe present disclosure. It is also to be understood in the presentdisclosure that one or more of the first sources 212 b′ and one or moreof the second sources 214 b′ may be the same or different sources.

It is recognized in the present disclosure that the second gate assembly214 b may also include a valve (not shown), or the like, in addition toor in replacement of the second expandable portion 214 b. The valve maybe configurable to perform substantially the same actions of blockingthe second end channel 214 a when the second gate assembly 214 b isconfigured to the closed position and unblocking the second end channel214 a when the second gate assembly 214 b is configured to the openposition. The valve may be any type of valve configurable to perform theactions described above and in the present disclosure. The valve mayinclude, but is not limited to including, a ball valve, gate valve,etc., so long as the valve is configurable to substantiallyblock/unblock the second end channel 214 a and prevent a gas medium frompassing through the second end channel 214 a.

The second end section 214 may also include one or more anchor ports216, as illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B. Each of the anchor ports 216 maybe operable to enable an instrument arm assembly 230 or 240, imagecapturing assembly 220, and/or assistant arm assemblies 250 or 260 to besecured to and unsecured from the port assembly 210. Each of the anchorports 216 may be formed in any one or more of a plurality of shapes,holes, slots, indentations, protrusions, hooks, fasteners, magnets,buckles, or the like, including those described above and in the presentdisclosure. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, one or moreof the anchor ports 216 may include one or more slots, or the like,operable to allow a shoulder section 231 of an instrument arm assembly230 or 240 to be inserted into and attached.

In example embodiments, the port assembly 210 may also include the midsection 213, as illustrated in at least FIGS. 4A and 4B. The mid section213 may have a mid section channel 213 a formed through the mid section213. The mid section channel 213 a may be substantially or completelyaligned with the first end channel 212 a and/or the second end channel214 a. In this regard, the mid section channel 213 a, as well as thefirst end channel 212 a and/or the second end channel 214 a, may beconsidered as a part of the central access channel 210 a in exampleembodiments. The mid section 213 may also include an insufflation port(not shown) in addition to or in replacement of the insufflation port(not shown) of the second end section 214. In some example embodiments,the mid section 213 may also include a mid section gate assembly (notshown) similar to that of the first gate assembly 212 and second gateassembly 214 described above and in the present disclosure.

In example embodiments, the mid section channel 213 a may be operable tocooperate with the first gate assembly 212 b and the second gateassembly 214 b to function as or like an isolation chamber forinstruments, such as the instrument arm assembly 230 or 240, imagecapturing assembly 220, assistant arm assembly 250 or 260, etc. Forexample, when an instrument, such as the instrument arm assembly 230,needs to be inserted into the cavity of the patient via the portassembly 210 (or central access channel 210 a) and an insufflation ofthe cavity of the patient needs to be maintained, the first gateassembly 212 b may be configured to the open position to allow theinstrument to be inserted into the mid section channel 213 a. After theinstrument (or most of it) passes through the first gate assembly 212 b,the first gate assembly 212 b may be configured to the closed position.The second gate assembly 214 b may then be configured to the openposition to allow the instrument to be further inserted through the portassembly 210. After the instrument (or most of it) passes through thesecond gate assembly 214 b, the second gate assembly 214 b may beconfigured to the closed position.

In respect to the central access channel 210 a, the central accesschannel 210 a may include or be formed by the first end channel 212 a,the second end channel 214 a, and/or the mid section channel 213 a. Thecentral access channel 210 a may be operable to provide an access port(i.e. a passageway or channel) to allow an insertion (or removal) of oneor more instruments, such as one or more instrument arm assemblies 230or 240, one or more image capturing assemblies 220, one or moreassistant arm assemblies 250 or 260, etc.

In an example embodiment, the first end section 212, the second end 214,and/or the mid section 213 may be substantially cylindrical in shape.The first end section 212, the second end section 214, and/or the midsection 213 may also be formed in any one of a plurality of othershapes, sizes, and/or dimensions without departing from the teachings ofthe present disclosure.

In example embodiments, an outer diameter of the first end section 212,the second end 214, and/or the mid section 213 may be between about 28to 35 mm and an inner diameter (unblocked) of the first end section 212,the second end 214, and/or the mid section 213 may be between about 16to 21 mm. In an example embodiment, the outer diameter of the first endsection 212, the second end 214, and/or the mid section 213 may be about33 mm and the inner diameter (unblocked) of the first end section 212,the second end 214, and/or the mid section 213 may be about 19 mm. Thelength of the first end section 212 may be between about 80 to 100 mm,the length of the second end section 214 may be between about 80 to 200mm, and the length of the mid section 213 may be between about 60 to 80mm. The overall length of the port assembly 210 may be between about 320to 380 mm. It is to be understood in the present disclosure that theabove dimensions are merely an illustration of example embodiments, andas such the dimensions may be smaller or larger than those recited abovewithout departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.

The port assembly 210, including the first end section 212, the secondend section 214, the mid section 213, and/or the anchor ports 216, maybe formed using any one or more of a plurality of materials, such assurgical-grade metals, high-strength aluminum alloys, stainless steel(such as 304/304L, 316/316L, and 420), pure titanium, titanium alloys(such as Ti6Al4V, NiTi), and cobalt-chromium alloys. The first gateassembly 212 b and the second gate assembly 214 b may be formed usingany one or more of a plurality of materials, such as bio-compatiblematerials (such as silicone rubber and polyurethane). It is to beunderstood in the present disclosure that other materials may also beused without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure. Itis to be understood in the present disclosure that the above materialsare merely an illustration of example embodiments, and these and othermaterials and compositions may be used without departing from theteachings of the present disclosure.

The Image Capturing Assembly (e.g., Image Capturing Assembly 220)

In an example embodiment, the surgical device 200 may comprise one ormore image capturing assemblies (e.g., image capturing assembly 220)configurable to be inserted into and attach to the port assembly 210.One or more of the image capturing assemblies 220 may comprise at animage capturing body 224, a multi-curvable body 222, and an anchoringportion 220 a.

As illustrated in FIG. 6A, the image capturing body 224 may include oneor more cameras 227. Each camera 227 may include a standard and/or highdefinition 2-dimensional (2D) and/or 3-dimensional (3D) camera operableto capture imaging, such as 2D and/or stereoscopic and/orautostereoscopic 3D imaging, including images, video, and/or audio, andprovide in real-time via wired and/or wireless communication thecaptured imaging, including images, video, and/or audio, to thecomputing device (or controller or system) of one or more nearby and/orremotely located surgical teams 904, as described above and in thepresent disclosure. The computing device (or controller or system) maycomprise one or more processors, one or more computer-human interfaces,one or more graphical displays (such as computer screens, televisionscreens, portable devices, wearable devices such as glasses, etc.),and/or other devices and/or systems, an example of which is illustratedin FIGS. 9A and 9B. The one or more nearby and/or remotely locatedsurgical teams 904 may be operable to view, hear, sense, analyze, andcontrol (such as pan, zoom, process, adapt, mark, change resolution,etc.) the imaging displayed or represented on one or more standardand/or high definition 2D and/or 3D graphical displays 902, such asshown in the illustration of FIGS. 9A and 9B, and/or portable and/orwearable devices adapted to receive 2D and/or 3D imaging (not shown).The image capturing body 224 may also comprise one or more illuminationsources 229, such as an LED, or the like, operable to illuminate orsense at least one or more parts, sections, and/or quadrants of thecavity of the patient, including instruments provided in the cavity ofthe patient. The image capturing body 224 may further comprise one ormore internal temperature control assemblies operable to control (suchas reduce) the temperature of one or more components of the imagecapturing body 224.

As illustrated in the example embodiment of FIG. 6A, one or more of theimage capturing assemblies 220 may comprise a multi-curvable body 222attached to the image capturing body 224. The multi-curvable body 222may be any elongated multi-curvable, multi-bendable, multi-articulable,and/or snake-like (hereinafter “multi-curvable”) body that can becontrolled/configured by the surgical team (such as via the computingdevice/controller) to, among other things, straighten and/or curve (andhold such a straightness and/or curvature) at one or more of a pluralityof locations along the multi-curvable body 222, curve (and hold such acurvature) in one or more of a plurality of curvatures, and/orstraighten and/or curve (and hold such a straightness and/or curvature)in one or more of a plurality of directions. For example, as illustratedin FIG. 8H, the multi-curvable body 222 may be controllable/configurableby the surgical team (such as via the computing device/controller) tocurve at two different locations 222 a and 222 b along themulti-curvable body 222, and each of the curves may include anycurvature and in any direction. It is to be understood that themulti-curvable body 222 may be configurable to curve in more or lessthan two locations along the multi-curvable body 222 without departingfrom the teachings of the present disclosure. It is also to beunderstood that, when the multi-curvable body 222 is configured to curveat any location along the multi-curvable body 222, the curve may be heldand/or released (or configured to uncurve, curve less, or straighten) bythe surgical team (such as via the computing device/controller).

The multi-curvable body 222 may be formed in any one or more ways knownin the art including. For example, the multi-curvable body 222 mayinclude a plurality of segments, each segment linked to an adjacentsegment in such a way that the segment may be controlled/configured tobe pivotally positioned in a plurality of positions relative to theadjacent segment. As another example, the multi-curvable body 222 mayinclude a plurality of wires, cables, or the like, distributedthroughout the multi-curvable body 222 in such a way that apulling/releasing, shortening/lengthening, tightening/loosening, etc. ofone or a combination of cables enables the above-mentioned curving ofone or more locations of the multi-curvable body 222 in one or morecurvatures and in one or more directions. As another example, themulti-curvable body 222 may include a plurality of springs, gears,motors, etc. for achieving the above-mentioned curving. It is to beunderstood in the present disclosure that the multi-curvable body 222may also include a combination of one or more of the above-mentionedapproaches.

One or more internal temperature control assemblies (not shown) may beprovided for each image capturing assembly 220. Each internaltemperature control assembly may be operable to control (such as reduce)the temperature and/or heat emission of the aforementioned camera(s)227, illumination source(s) 229, and/or multi-curvable body 222. In anexample embodiment, the one or more internal temperature controlassemblies may be operable to perform such temperature control using oneor more gases, liquids, and/or solids. For example, the gases and/orliquids may be fed, maintained, and/or regulated using an externalsource via one or more tubes, or the like. The one or more tubes used toprovide, regulate, and/or discharge the gases and/or liquids may have adiameter between about 0.5 mm to 3 mm in example embodiments, but thedimensions of such tubes may also be more or less. It is to beunderstood in the present disclosure that the one or more tubes (ifused), as well as any solids (if used), may be provided through aninterior of the image capturing assembly 220 without increasingdimensions (such as diameter) of the image capturing assembly 220 and/oraffecting the controllability/configurability of the multi-curvable body222.

When the internal temperature control assembly utilizes gases, or thelike, example embodiments may also be operable to provide such gasesinto the body cavity and/or discharge or recycle such gases outside ofthe body cavity via one or more tubes, or the like. The gases maycomprise carbon dioxide, oxygen, and/or other gases in exampleembodiments. Such gases may be further operable to assist in providingand/or maintaining insufflation of the cavity of the patient during asurgical procedure. When the internal temperature control assemblyutilizes liquids, or the like, example embodiments may be operable todischarge or recycle such liquids outside of the body cavity. When theinternal temperature control assembly utilizes solids, or the like, suchsolids may possess properties that enable the surgical team to changethe temperature of the solids, such as by applying electricity or otherform of energy, so as to control (such as reduce) the temperature and/orheat emission of one or more components of the image capturing assembly220. In example embodiments, the internal temperature control assemblymay utilize a combination of gases, liquids, solids, and/or the likewithout departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.

The image capturing assembly 220 may be secured to the port assembly 210in one or more of a plurality of ways, including those described aboveand in the present disclosure for the instrument arm assemblies 230 or240 and/or the assistant arm assemblies 250 or 260. For example, theimage capturing assembly 220 may also comprise an anchoring portion 220a (e.g., similar to the securing portion 231 a of the instrument armassembly 220) operable to attach (or secure) the image capturingassembly 220 to one or more anchor ports 216 of the port assembly 210.

In an example embodiment, the image capturing body 224 and themulti-curvable body 222 may each be substantially cylindrical in shape.The image capturing body 224 and the multi-curvable body 222 may also beformed in any one of a plurality of other shapes, sizes, and/ordimensions without departing from the teachings of the presentdisclosure.

In an example embodiment, the length of the multi-curvable body 222 maybe between about 50 to 150 mm. In example embodiments, a length ofmulti-curvable body 222 may also be adjustable by the surgical team 904before, during, and/or after insertion of the camera arm assembly intothe cavity of the patient. The outer diameter of the multi-curvable body222 may be between about 5 to 7 mm. It is to be understood in thepresent disclosure that the above dimensions are merely an illustrationof example embodiments, and as such the dimensions may be smaller orlarger than those recited above without departing from the teachings ofthe present disclosure.

The multi-curvable body 222 may be formed using any one or more of aplurality of materials, such as stainless steel, etc. It is to beunderstood in the present disclosure that other materials may also beused without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure. Itis to be understood in the present disclosure that the above materialsare merely an illustration of example embodiments, and these and othermaterials and compositions may be used without departing from theteachings of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in FIG. 6B and FIG. 6C, the image capturing assembly 220may further comprise a gas shield 228 located nearby one or more lensesof the camera 227. The image capturing assembly 220 may further comprisea gas shield 228 located nearby one or more of the illumination sources229 and/or any other sensors (such as temperature sensors, pressuresensors, humidity sensors, etc.) provided by the image capturingassembly 220. The gas shield 228 may comprise one or more openings orthe like, one or more external gas sources 228, and one or more tubes,channels, or the like, between the one or more external gas sources andthe one or more openings of the gas shield 228. In operation, the gasshield 228 may be operable to provide pressurized gases (and/orliquids), such as carbon dioxide, oxygen, other gases or liquids, orcombinations thereof, via the one or more openings of the gas shield 228to an area in front of the camera 227 (as well as in front of theillumination sources 229 and/or other sensors).

The overall system may also include one or more separate image capturingassemblies, such as the separate image capturing assembly 320illustrated in FIG. 6D. The separate image capturing assembly 320 may bemagnetically anchored by a magnetic anchor 310 to an internal wall ofthe cavity of the patient, such as via a permanent magnet,electromagnet, or the like. In some example embodiments, the magneticanchor 310 may also be secured/held in position via an external anchor(not shown). The separate image capturing assembly 320 may include oneor more cameras 327, and may also include one or more illuminationsources 329.

The separate image capturing assembly 320 may be operable to provide oneor more of a variety of views, including, but not limited to, a normalview, zoomed view, wide-angled view, and/or panoramic view of the cavityof the patient. The separate image capturing assembly 320 may bepositioned in such a way as to provide the surgical team 904 with anunobstructed view of areas of interest within the cavity of the patient.In respect to positioning and securing the separate image capturingassembly 320 in place, as illustrated in FIG. 6D, the separate imagecapturing assembly 320 may be inserted through the central accesschannel 210 a of the port assembly 210 and to the desired location ofthe interior wall of the cavity of the patient in one or more of aplurality of ways, including using a surgical tool (not shown),attaching the separate image capturing assembly 320 to a multi-curvablebody (not shown) similar to that of the image capturing assembly 220 (asillustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, and 6D), etc.

The Instrument Arm Assembly (e.g., Instrument Arm Assembly 230, 240)

In an example embodiment, the surgical device 200 may comprise one ormore instrument arm assemblies (e.g., first instrument arm assembly 230,second instrument arm assembly 240, third instrument arm assembly (notshown), fourth instrument arm assembly (not shown), etc.), eachconfigurable to attach to the port assembly 210.

One or more of the instrument arm assemblies (such as 230, 240) maycomprise a configurable serial (or linear) arrangement of a plurality ofinstrument arm segments (or arm assemblies, such as a first arm assembly330, second arm assembly 360, and shoulder assembly 231 illustrated inat least FIG. 5C) and joint portions (such as a first arm assembly jointportion 350, first shoulder joint portion 370, and second shoulder jointportion 380 illustrated in at least FIG. 5L and FIG. 5M), and at leastone end instrument (or end effector) 239, 342, 344 integrated intoand/or connected to one or more of the instrument arm segments and/orjoint portions. The end effector 239, 342, 344 may be any instrumentsuitable for use in surgical procedures, such as a cutting and/orgripping instrument. One or more of the instrument arm assemblies (suchas 230, 240) may also comprise one or more illumination sources (notshown), such as an LED, or the like, operable to illuminate one or moreparts of the end effector 239, 342, 344, instrument arm assemblies,and/or parts, sections, and/or quadrants of the abdominal cavity of thepatient.

One or more of the instrument arm assemblies (such as 230, 240) may alsocomprise one or more integrated motors (e.g., integrated motors 332,334, 336, 339 illustrated in at least FIG. 5E, FIG. 5G, FIG. 5J, andFIG. 5K and integrated motors 362, 364, and 366 illustrated in at leastFigure M, FIG. 5N, and FIG. 5O) operable to provide at least one degreeof freedom for the instrument arm assembly. Each integrated motor (e.g.,integrated motors 332, 334, 336, 339 illustrated in at least FIGS. 5E,5G, 5J, and 5K and integrated motors 362, 364, and 366 illustrated in atleast FIG. 5M-O) may be fully and independently functioning motors thatare housed entirely (with the exception of, for example, power and/orcontrol cables, which may be fed via the port assembly) in an instrumentarm segment (or arm assembly, such as the first arm assembly 330, secondarm assembly 360, and shoulder assembly 231), such as housing 330′ and360′. One or more of the instrument arm assemblies may also include anintegrated haptic and/or force feedback subsystem (not shown) incommunication with one or more of the integrated motors and/or othersensors and/or instruments operable to provide to the surgical team(such as via computing device/controller) with one or more of aplurality of feedback responses and/or measurements, including thosepertaining to position (including orientation), applied force,proximity, temperature, pressure, humidity, etc., of, by, and/or nearbyto the instrument arm assembly. For example, the surgical team 904 maybe provided with a master input device having manipulators, or the like,having haptic and/or force feedback and designed to map and sense thesurgical team's 904 delicate finger-twisting, wrist-bending, and/orother arm/shoulder movements into movements of the instrument arm (suchas 230, 240) with high precision, high dexterity, and minimum burden,while also providing feedback of contact resistance (such as tissueresistance).

When an instrument arm assembly (such as 230, 240) comprises one or moreillumination sources, cameras, haptic and/or force feedback instruments,and/or other sensors and/or instruments, as described above and in thepresent disclosure, the instrument arm assembly may also comprise a gasshield, such as the gas shield described above for the image capturingassembly 220. One or more of the instrument arm assemblies (such as 230,240) may further comprise one or more internal temperature controlassemblies operable to control (such as reduce or increase) thetemperature of one or more components of the instrument arm assembly.

As illustrated in the example embodiment of FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, FIG.5A, and FIG. 5B, each of the instrument arm assemblies, including thefirst instrument arm assembly 230, may comprise a first instrument armsegment (or shoulder section) 231, a second instrument arm segment (orfirst arm section) 233 (as illustrated in at least FIGS. 5A-B), 360 (asillustrated in at least FIG. 5C), a third instrument arm segment (orsecond arm section) 235 (as illustrated in at least FIGS. 5A-B), 330 (asillustrated in at least FIG. 5C), and a fourth instrument arm segment(or hand section) 237. The instrument arm assembly 230 may also comprisea first joint portion (or shoulder joint section) 232 having a shouldersway joint section 380 and shoulder pitch joint section 370; a secondjoint portion (or elbow section) 234 (as illustrated in at least FIGS.5A-B), 350 (as illustrated in at least FIG. 5C); a third joint portion(or wrist section) 236 (as illustrated in at least FIGS. 5A-B), axis B(as illustrated in at least FIGS. 5D-H); and an end effector jointportion 238 (as illustrated in at least FIGS. 5A-B), axis A (asillustrated in at least FIGS. 5D-H). Each of the aforementioned jointportions may be configurable, either manually and/or via the computingdevice (or system), to provide an attached instrument arm segment (andthe end effector 239, 342, 344) with one or more in vivo degrees offreedom when the instrument arm assembly is provided in the abdominalcavity of the patient. For example, the first joint portion (or shoulderjoint section) 232 may be operable to provide the second instrument armsegment (or first arm section) 233 (as illustrated in at least FIGS.5A-B), 360 (as illustrated in at least FIG. 5C) with one or two degreesof freedom resembling the one or two degrees of freedom of the humanshoulder. Specifically, the shoulder sway joint section 380 (asillustrated in at least FIG. 5M) may be operable to provide the secondinstrument arm segment (or first arm section) 233 (as illustrated in atleast FIGS. 5A-B), 360 (as illustrated in at least FIG. 5C) with amovement (e.g., rotation) relative to axis E (as illustrated in at leastFIG. 5M). Furthermore, the shoulder pitch joint section 370 (asillustrated in at least FIG. 5M) may be operable to provide the secondinstrument arm segment (or first arm section) 233 (as illustrated in atleast FIGS. 5A-B), 360 (as illustrated in at least FIG. 5C) with amovement (e.g., rotation) relative to axis D (as illustrated in at leastFIG. 5M). As another example, the second joint portion (or elbowsection) 234 (as illustrated in at least FIGS. 5A-B), 350 (asillustrated in at least FIG. 5C) may be operable to provide the thirdinstrument arm segment (or second arm section) 235 (as illustrated in atleast FIG. 5A-B), 330 (as illustrated in at least FIG. 5C) with one ortwo degrees of freedom resembling the one or two degrees of freedom ofthe human elbow. Specifically, the second joint portion (or elbowsection) 234 (as illustrated in at least FIGS. 5A-B), 350 (asillustrated in at least FIG. 5C) may be operable to provide the thirdinstrument arm segment (or second arm section) 235 (as illustrated in atleast FIG. 5A-B), 330 (as illustrated in at least FIG. 5C) with amovement (e.g., rotation) relative to axis C (as illustrated in at leastFIG. 5M). As another example, the third joint portion (or wrist section)236 (as illustrated in at least FIGS. 5A-B), axis B (as illustrated inat least FIGS. 5D-H) may be operable to provide the fourth instrumentarm segment (or hand section) 237 with one or two degrees of freedomresembling the one or two degrees of freedom of the human wrist.Specifically, the third joint portion (or wrist section) 236 (asillustrated in at least FIGS. 5A-B), axis B (as illustrated in at leastFIGS. 5D-H) may be operable to provide the fourth instrument arm segment(or hand section) 237 with a movement (e.g., rotation) relative to axisB (as illustrated in at least FIG. 5M). As another example, the endeffector joint portion 238 (as illustrated in at least FIGS. 5A-B), axisA (as illustrated in at least FIGS. 5D-H) may be operable to provide theend effector 239, 342, 344 with one or more degrees of freedom.Specifically, the end effector joint portion 238 (as illustrated in atleast FIGS. 5A-B), axis A (as illustrated in at least FIGS. 5D-H) may beoperable to provide the end effector 239, 342, 344 with a movement(e.g., rotation) relative to axis A (as illustrated in at least FIG.5M). Accordingly, one or more of the instrument arm assemblies may beconfigurable, either manually and/or via the computingdevice/controller, to provide seven or more in vivo degrees of freedomand, together with the at least one to three or more in vitro degree offreedom provided by the port assembly 210 and the controllable swivelassembly 1000 (see FIGS. 10A and 10B), the one or more of the instrumentarm assemblies may be configurable, either manually and/or via thecomputing device/controller, to provide a total of eight to ten or moredegrees of freedom. It is recognized herein that the aforementioned atleast seven in vivo degrees of freedom for the instrument arm assemblyenables at least the full range of natural movements by a surgeon's arm(via a controller/computer-human interface/manipulator/master inputdevice, such as the example illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B) to besubstantially directly mapped and/or translated to the instrument armassembly.

Each joint portion, including joint portions 232, 370, 380, 234, 350,and 236 (and the joint portion along axis B) and instrument jointportion 238 (and the joint portion along axis A) may comprise any one ormore configurations of gears and/or gear assemblies, including straightgear configurations, planetary gear configurations, beveled gearconfigurations, spiral beveled gear configurations, hypoid gearconfigurations, helical gear configurations, worm gear configurations,and/or any other gear configuration without departing from the teachingsof the present disclosure. In example embodiments, each instrument armassembly may also comprise one or more internal integrated motors 332,334, 336, 339, 362, 364, 366, or the like, operable to actuate (e.g.,via first instrument drive portion 332 a, second instrument driveportion 334 a, wrist drive portion 336 a, elbow drive portion 362 a,shoulder pitch drive portion 364 a, shoulder sway drive portion 366 a)the gears of each joint portion (e.g., first instrument driven portion342 a, second instrument driven portion 344 a, wrist driven portion 346a, elbow driven portion 352, shoulder pitch driven portion 364 b, firstshoulder sway driven portion 366 b, second shoulder sway driven portion366 c (if needed), third shoulder sway driven portion 366 d), includingjoint portions 232, 370, 380, 234, 350, and 236 (and the joint portionsalong axis B and axis A) and/or the instrument arm segments 231, 233,360, 235, 330, and 237. In this regard, each of the integrated motors,joint portions, and/or instrument arm segments described above and inthe present disclosure may be operable to communicate, such as receivecontrol commands and/or transmit information, from and/or to thecomputing device/controller of one or more nearby and/or remotelylocated surgical teams 904 via wired and/or wireless communication inexample embodiments. Furthermore, each of the integrated motors, jointportions, and/or instrument arm segments described above and in thepresent disclosure may be operable to receive power and/or controlsignals from an external power source and/or the computingdevice/controller via wired and/or wireless transmissions in exampleembodiments.

In an example embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 5C-M, an instrumentarm assembly (e.g., instrument arm assembly 230, 240) may include anend-effector assembly (e.g., end-effector assembly 340). The instrumentarm assembly (e.g., instrument arm assembly 230, 240) may furtherinclude a first arm assembly (e.g., first arm assembly 235, 330). Theinstrument arm assembly (e.g., instrument arm assembly 230, 240) mayfurther include a second arm assembly (e.g., second arm assembly 233,360).

End-Effector Assembly (e.g., End-Effector Assembly 340).

An example embodiment of the end-effector assembly (e.g., end-effectorassembly 340) may comprise a first instrument assembly. The end-effectorassembly 340 may also comprise a second instrument assembly. Althoughthe figures illustrate an end-effector assembly having a firstinstrument and a second instrument, it is to be understood in thepresent disclosure that the end-effector assembly may have more otherinstruments or may only have a first instrument or a second instrumentwithout departing from the teachings of the present disclosure. Theend-effector assembly 340 may also comprise a wrist assembly.

(i) First Instrument Assembly.

An example embodiment of the first instrument assembly may comprise afirst instrument (e.g., first instrument 342) for use in performing asurgical action. The first instrument 342 may be any surgical instrumentwithout departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.

In an example embodiment, the first instrument 342 may be configurableto receive an electric current (e.g., first electric current) appliedfrom a first energy source (not shown) so as to perform actions of anelectrosurgical instrument. Although the first instrument may bedescribed above and in the present disclosure to receive an electriccurrent, it is to be understood that the first instrument may also beconfigurable to receive a voltage potential, thermal energy, heat, coldtemperature application, radiation, etc. to perform the said surgicalaction without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.

The first instrument assembly may also comprise a first instrumentdriven portion (e.g., first instrument driven portion 342 a). The firstinstrument driven portion 342 a may be configurable to be driven by thefirst instrument drive portion 332 a of the integrated motor 332. Thefirst instrument driven portion 342 a may be driven by the firstinstrument drive portion 332 a in such a way as to move the firstinstrument 342. For example, the first instrument driven portion 342 amay be driven to move the first instrument 342 relative to a first axis(e.g., axis A). In this regard, such movement of the first instrument342 may be a rotation of a distal end of the first instrument 342relative to a proximal end of the first instrument 342, and suchproximal end may serve as a pivot for such movement.

The first instrument driven portion 342 a may be any mechanism, device,or the like, configurable to be driven by the first instrument driveportion 332 a. For example, the first instrument driven portion 342 amay comprise any one or more configurations or combinations of gearsand/or gear assemblies, including straight gear configurations,planetary gear configurations, beveled gear configurations, spiralbeveled gear configurations, hypoid gear configurations, helical gearconfigurations, worm gear configurations, and/or any other gear and/ormechanical configurations (such as wire and pulley) without departingfrom the teachings of the present disclosure. Although the figuresillustrate an end-effector assembly having one first instrument drivenportion, it is to be understood in the present disclosure that theend-effector assembly may have more than one first instrument drivenportions without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.

In example embodiments wherein the end-effector assembly 340 isdetachable (i.e., unsecurable) from the arm assembly 331, it is to beunderstood that the first instrument drive portion 332 a of theintegrated motor 332 may be operable to drive the first instrumentdriven portion 342 a when the end-effector assembly 340 is secured(i.e., attached) to the arm assembly 331. Specifically, the firstinstrument drive portion 332 a of the integrated motor 332 may beoperable to drive the first instrument driven portion 342 a when thewrist connector portion 338 is secured (i.e., attached) to the wristassembly (as further described below and in the present disclosure) ofthe end-effector assembly (and more specifically, the connector 348 ofthe end-effector assembly 340).

In example embodiments wherein the end-effector assembly 340 isdetachable (i.e., unsecurable) from the arm assembly 331, it is to beunderstood that one or more connectable and unconnectable electricwires, cables, or the like, may be provided to enable the firstinstrument 342 to receive the electric current from the energy source toperform the actions of an electrosurgical instrument.

The first instrument assembly may also comprise a first instrumentinsulative portion (e.g., first instrument insulative portion 342 b).The first instrument insulative portion 342 b may be providable betweenthe first instrument 342 and one or more portions of the end-effectorassembly 340 so as to electrically isolate (or electrically insulate,thermally isolate, thermally insulate, and the like) the firstinstrument 342 from the one or more portions of the end-effectorassembly 340. In an example embodiment, the first instrument insulativeportion 342 b may be providable between the first instrument 342 and thefirst instrument driven portion 342 a so as to electrically isolate (orelectrically insulate, thermally isolate, thermally insulate, and thelike) the first instrument 342 from the first instrument driven portion342 a. Such electric isolation (or electric insulation, thermalisolation, thermal insulation, and the like) may be desirable to protectelectrically (or thermally) sensitive components/portions of thesurgical arm assembly and/or also prevent such electric current (orvoltage potential, thermal energy, heat, cold temperature application,radiation, etc.) from undesirably passing through to the secondinstrument 344 via the first instrument driven portion 342 a and/orother component/portion of the surgical arm assembly.

The first instrument insulative portion 342 b may be formed using anyone or more of a plurality of materials, such as electrically insulativematerials, thermally insulative materials, plastics, elastomers,ceramics, glasses, and minerals. It is to be understood in the presentdisclosure that other materials may also be used without departing fromthe teachings of the present disclosure.

The first instrument 342 may be formed using any one or more of aplurality of materials, such as surgical-grade metals, high-strengthaluminum alloys, stainless steel (such as 304/304L, 316/316L, and 420),pure titanium, titanium alloys (such as Ti6Al4V, NiTi), cobalt-chromiumalloys, and magnesium alloys. It is to be understood in the presentdisclosure that other materials may also be used without departing fromthe teachings of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the firstinstrument 342 may include an opening, or the like, for use in receivingand housing at least a portion of the first instrument insulativeportion 342 b. The first axis (e.g., axis A) may be formed through acenter of the opening of the first instrument 342 in exampleembodiments. Although the opening may be depicted in the figures to becircular in shape and the corresponding exterior portion of the firstinstrument insulative portion 342 b being housed in the opening may bedepicted in the figures to be circular in shape, it is to be understoodin the present disclosure that the opening and such correspondingexterior portion may be formed in one or more other shapes, including,but not limited to, a square, rectangle, oval, pentagon, hexagon, etc.,without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.

(ii) Second Instrument Assembly.

An example embodiment of the second instrument assembly may comprise asecond instrument (e.g., second instrument 344) for use in performing asurgical action. The second instrument 344 may be any surgicalinstrument without departing from the teachings of the presentdisclosure.

In an example embodiment, the second instrument 344 may be configurableto receive an electric current (e.g., second electric current) appliedfrom a second energy source (not shown) so as to perform actions of anelectrosurgical instrument. Although the second instrument may bedescribed above and in the present disclosure to receive an electriccurrent, it is to be understood that the second instrument may also beconfigurable to receive a voltage potential, thermal energy, heat, coldtemperature application, radiation, etc. to perform the said surgicalaction without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.

The second instrument assembly may also comprise a second instrumentdriven portion (e.g., second instrument driven portion 344 a). Thesecond instrument driven portion 344 a may be configurable to be drivenby the second instrument drive portion 334 a of the integrated motor334. The second instrument driven portion 344 a may be driven by thesecond instrument drive portion 334 a in such a way as to move thesecond instrument 344. For example, the second instrument driven portion344 a may be driven to move the second instrument 344 relative to thefirst axis (e.g., axis A). In this regard, such movement of the secondinstrument 344 may be a rotation of a distal end of the secondinstrument 344 relative to a proximal end of the second instrument 344,and such proximal end may serve as a pivot for such movement.

The second instrument driven portion 344 a may be any mechanism, device,or the like, configurable to be driven by the second instrument driveportion 334 a. For example, the second instrument driven portion 344 amay comprise any one or more configurations or combinations of gearsand/or gear assemblies, including straight gear configurations,planetary gear configurations, beveled gear configurations, spiralbeveled gear configurations, hypoid gear configurations, helical gearconfigurations, worm gear configurations, and/or any other gear and/ormechanical configurations (such as wire and pulley) without departingfrom the teachings of the present disclosure. Although the figuresillustrate an end-effector assembly having one second instrument drivenportion, it is to be understood in the present disclosure that theend-effector assembly may have more than one second instrument drivenportions without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.

In example embodiments wherein the end-effector assembly 340 isdetachable (i.e., unsecurable) from the arm assembly 331, it is to beunderstood that the second instrument drive portion 334 a of theintegrated motor 334 may be operable to drive the second instrumentdriven portion 344 a when the end-effector assembly 340 is secured(i.e., attached) to the arm assembly 331. Specifically, the secondinstrument drive portion 334 a of the integrated motor 334 may beoperable to drive the second instrument driven portion 344 a when thewrist connector portion 338 is secured (i.e., attached) to the wristassembly (as further described below and in the present disclosure) ofthe end-effector assembly (and more specifically, the connector 348 ofthe end-effector assembly 340).

In example embodiments wherein the end-effector assembly 340 isdetachable (i.e., unsecurable) from the arm assembly 331, it is to beunderstood that one or more connectable and unconnectable electricwires, cables, or the like, may be provided to enable the secondinstrument 344 to receive the electric current from the energy source toperform the actions of an electrosurgical instrument.

The second instrument assembly may also comprise a second instrumentinsulative portion (e.g., second instrument insulative portion 344 b).The second instrument insulative portion 344 b may be providable betweenthe second instrument 344 and one or more portions of the end-effectorassembly 340 so as to electrically isolate (or electrically insulate,thermally isolate, thermally insulate, and the like) the secondinstrument 344 from the one or more portions of the end-effectorassembly 340. In an example embodiment, the second instrument insulativeportion 344 b may be providable between the second instrument 344 andthe second instrument driven portion 344 a so as to electrically isolate(or electrically insulate, thermally isolate, thermally insulate, andthe like) the second instrument 344 from the second instrument drivenportion 344 a. Such electric isolation (or electric insulation, thermalisolation, thermal insulation, and the like) may be desirable to protectelectrically (or thermally) sensitive components/portions of thesurgical arm assembly and/or also prevent such electric current (orvoltage potential, thermal energy, heat, cold temperature application,radiation, etc.) from undesirably passing through to the firstinstrument 342 via the second instrument driven portion 344 a and/orother component/portion of the surgical arm assembly.

The second instrument insulative portion 344 b may be formed using anyone or more of a plurality of materials, such as electrically insulativematerials, thermally insulative materials, plastics, elastomers,ceramics, glasses, and minerals. It is to be understood in the presentdisclosure that other materials may also be used without departing fromthe teachings of the present disclosure.

The second instrument 344 may be formed using any one or more of aplurality of materials, such as surgical-grade metals, high-strengthaluminum alloys, stainless steel (such as 304/304L, 316/316L, and 420),pure titanium, titanium alloys (such as Ti6Al4V, NiTi), cobalt-chromiumalloys, and magnesium alloys. It is to be understood in the presentdisclosure that other materials may also be used without departing fromthe teachings of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the secondinstrument 344 may include an opening, or the like, for use in receivingand housing at least a portion of the second instrument insulativeportion 344 b. The first axis (e.g., axis A) may be formed through acenter of the opening of the second instrument 344 in exampleembodiments. Although the opening may be depicted in the figures to becircular in shape and the corresponding exterior portion of the secondinstrument insulative portion 344 b being housed in the opening may bedepicted in the figures to be circular in shape, it is to be understoodin the present disclosure that the opening and such correspondingexterior portion may be formed in one or more other shapes, including,but not limited to, a square, rectangle, oval, pentagon, hexagon, etc.,without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.

(iii) Cooperation of the First Instrument Assembly and Second InstrumentAssembly.

In example embodiments, the first instrument (e.g., first instrument342) and second instrument (e.g., second instrument 344) may beselectively moveable/drivable independently from one another. In exampleembodiments, the first instrument 342 and the second instrument 344 maybe selectively moveable/drivable in a similar or same manner, such asbeing moveable/driveable at the same time, for the same duration, forthe same distance, and/or with the same output energy. Although thefigures illustrate end-effector assembly having a first instrument and asecond instrument, it is to be understood in the present disclosure thatthe end-effector assembly may have more other instruments or may onlyhave a first instrument or a second instrument without departing fromthe teachings of the present disclosure. For example, the firstinstrument 342 and the second instrument 344 may cooperate to form agrasper. As another example, the first instrument 342 and the secondinstrument 344 may cooperate to form scissors. As another example, thefirst instrument 342 and the second instrument 344 may cooperate to forma Maryland grasper. Other forms and types of first instruments and/orsecond instruments are contemplated in the present disclosure inaddition to or in replacement of the first instrument and/or secondinstrument described above and herein without departing from theteachings of the present disclosure.

For example, as described above, the first instrument 342 may beconfigurable to receive an electric current (e.g., first electriccurrent) applied from a first energy source (not shown) so as to performactions of an electrosurgical instrument. In addition to or inreplacement, the second instrument 344 may be configurable to receive anelectric current (e.g., second electric current) applied from a secondenergy source (not shown). The first current may be the same inmagnitude as but opposite in direction to the second current in exampleembodiments, and the first energy source may be the same as or differentfrom the second energy source in example embodiments. In suchembodiments where the first instrument and second instrumentcollectively cooperate to form a monopolar electrosurgical instrument,or the like, when a mass (e.g., a tissue mass) is provided between thefirst instrument 342 and second instrument 344 and an electric currentis applied to the first instrument 342 or the second instrument 344, themass will serve to enable the applied electric current to pass throughand aid in cutting, coagulating, desiccating, and/or fulgurating themass. Similarly, in embodiments where the first instrument and secondinstrument collectively cooperate to form a bipolar electrosurgicalinstrument, or the like, when a mass (e.g., a tissue mass) is providedbetween the first instrument 342 and second instrument 344 and anelectric current is applied to the first instrument 342 and the secondinstrument 344, the mass will serve to enable the applied electriccurrent to pass through and aid in performing a surgical action,including cutting, coagulating, desiccating, cauterizing, and/orfulgurating the mass. Although the first instrument and/or secondinstrument may be described above and in the present disclosure toreceive an electric current, it is to be understood that the firstinstrument and/or second instrument may also be configurable to receivea voltage potential, thermal energy, heat, cold temperature application,radiation, etc. to perform the said surgical action without departingfrom the teachings of the present disclosure.

(iv) Wrist Assembly.

The wrist assembly may be securable or secured to the first instrumentassembly in example embodiments. The wrist assembly may comprise a wristdriven portion (e.g., wrist driven portion 346 a). The wrist assemblymay further comprise a connector (e.g., connector 348).

The wrist driven portion 346 a may be configurable to be driven by thewrist drive portion 336 a of the integrated motor 336. The wrist drivenportion 346 a may be driven by the wrist drive portion 336 a in such away as to move the first instrument 342. For example, the wrist drivenportion 346 a may be driven to move the first instrument 342 relative toa second axis (e.g., axis B). In this regard, such movement of the firstinstrument 342 may be a rotation of a distal end of the first instrument342 relative to a point on the second axis (e.g., axis B), and suchpoint may serve as a pivot for such movement. In addition to or inreplacement, the wrist driven portion 346 a may be driven by the wristdrive portion 336 a in such a way as to move the second instrument 344.For example, the wrist driven portion 346 a may be driven to move thesecond instrument 344 relative to the second axis (e.g., axis B). Inthis regard, such movement of the second instrument 344 may be arotation of a distal end of the second instrument 344 relative to apoint on the second axis (e.g., axis B), and such point may serve as apivot for such movement. In example embodiments, the wrist drivenportion 346 a may be driven by the wrist drive portion 336 a in such away as to collectively move the first instrument 342 and the secondinstrument 344. For example, the wrist driven portion 346 a may bedriven to collectively move the first instrument 342 and the secondinstrument 344 relative to the second axis (e.g., axis B). In thisregard, such movement of the first instrument 342 and the secondinstrument 344 may be a collective rotation of a distal end of the firstinstrument 342 and distal end of the second instrument 344 relative to apoint on the second axis (e.g., axis B), and such point may serve as apivot for such movement.

The wrist driven portion 346 a may be any mechanism, device, or thelike, configurable to be driven by the wrist drive portion 336 a. Forexample, the wrist driven portion 346 a may comprise any one or moreconfigurations or combinations of gears and/or gear assemblies,including straight gear configurations, planetary gear configurations,beveled gear configurations, spiral beveled gear configurations, hypoidgear configurations, helical gear configurations, worm gearconfigurations, and/or any other gear and/or mechanical configurations(such as wire and pulley) without departing from the teachings of thepresent disclosure. Although the figures illustrate an end-effectorassembly having one wrist driven portion, it is to be understood in thepresent disclosure that the end-effector assembly may have more than onewrist driven portions without departing from the teachings of thepresent disclosure.

Arm Assemblies (e.g., First Arm Assembly 235 and 330, Second ArmAssembly 233 and 360).

(i) First Arm Assembly (e.g., First Arm Assembly 235, 330).

An example embodiment of the first arm assembly (e.g., first armassembly 235, 330) is illustrated in at least Figures A-M. The armassembly 330 may be securable to the end-effector assembly 340. In anexample embodiment, the arm assembly 330 may be securable to andunsecurable from (e.g., detached) the end-effector assembly 340. Asillustrated in FIGS. 5C and 5J, the arm assembly 330 may include an armassembly body (e.g., arm assembly body 330′) having a first end 330 aand a second end 330 b opposite to the first end 330 a. The arm assemblyjoint portion 350 (or elbow section) may be secured to the first end 330a of the arm assembly body 330′. The wrist connector portion 338 may beprovided at the second end 330 b of the arm assembly body 330′. The armassembly body 330′ may securely house one or more of a plurality ofdrive assemblies.

In an example embodiment, the arm assembly body 330′ may securely housea first instrument drive assembly. The first instrument drive assemblymay include a first integrated motor (e.g., first integrated motor 332)and a first instrument drive portion (e.g., first instrument driveportion 332 a). The first instrument drive portion 332 a may be providedat the second end 330 b of the arm assembly body 330′. The firstinstrument drive portion 332 a may be controllable by the firstintegrated motor 332 to drive the first instrument driven portion 342 awhen the wrist connector portion 338 is secured to the wrist assembly348. The first instrument drive portion 332 a may be any mechanism,device, or the like, configurable to drive the first instrument drivenportion 342 a. For example, the first instrument drive portion 332 a maycomprise any one or more configurations or combinations of gears and/orgear assemblies, including straight gear configurations, planetary gearconfigurations, beveled gear configurations, spiral beveled gearconfigurations, hypoid gear configurations, helical gear configurations,worm gear configurations, and/or any other gear and/or mechanicalconfigurations (such as wire and pulley) without departing from theteachings of the present disclosure. Although the figures illustrate anarm assembly having one first instrument drive portion 332 a, it is tobe understood in the present disclosure that the arm assembly may havemore than one first instrument drive portions 332 a without departingfrom the teachings of the present disclosure.

The arm assembly body 330′ may also securely house a second instrumentdrive assembly in example embodiments. The second instrument driveassembly may include a second integrated motor (e.g., second integratedmotor 334) and a second instrument drive portion (e.g., secondinstrument drive portion 334 a). The second instrument drive portion 334a may be provided at the second end 330 b of the arm assembly body 330′.The second instrument drive portion 334 a may be controllable by thesecond integrated motor 334 to drive the second instrument drivenportion 344 a when the wrist connector portion 338 is secured to thewrist assembly 348. The second instrument drive portion 334 a may be anymechanism, device, or the like, configurable to drive the secondinstrument driven portion 344 a. For example, the second instrumentdrive portion 334 a may comprise any one or more configurations orcombinations of gears and/or gear assemblies, including straight gearconfigurations, planetary gear configurations, beveled gearconfigurations, spiral beveled gear configurations, hypoid gearconfigurations, helical gear configurations, worm gear configurations,and/or any other gear and/or mechanical configurations (such as wire andpulley) without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.Although the figures illustrate an arm assembly having one secondinstrument drive portion 334 a, it is to be understood in the presentdisclosure that the arm assembly may have more than one secondinstrument drive portions 334 a without departing from the teachings ofthe present disclosure.

The arm assembly body 330′ may also securely house a wrist driveassembly in example embodiments. The wrist drive assembly may include athird integrated motor (e.g., third integrated motor 336) and a wristdrive portion (e.g., wrist drive portion 336 a). The wrist drive portion336 a may be provided at the second end 330 b of the arm assembly body330′. The wrist drive portion 336 a may be controllable by the thirdintegrated motor 336 to drive the wrist driven portion 346 a when thewrist connector portion 338 is secured to the wrist assembly 348. Thewrist drive portion 336 a may be any mechanism, device, or the like,configurable to drive the wrist driven portion 346 a. For example, thewrist drive portion 336 a may comprise any one or more configurations orcombinations of gears and/or gear assemblies, including straight gearconfigurations, planetary gear configurations, beveled gearconfigurations, spiral beveled gear configurations, hypoid gearconfigurations, helical gear configurations, worm gear configurations,and/or any other gear and/or mechanical configurations (such as wire andpulley) without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.Although the figures illustrate an arm assembly having one wrist driveportion 336 a, it is to be understood in the present disclosure that thearm assembly may have more than one wrist drive portions 336 a withoutdeparting from the teachings of the present disclosure.

The arm assembly body 330′ may also securely house a first arm assemblydrive assembly in example embodiments. The first arm assembly driveassembly may include a fourth integrated motor (e.g., fourth integratedmotor 339) and a first arm assembly drive portion (e.g., first armassembly drive portion 339 a). The first arm assembly drive portion 339a may be provided at the first end 330 a of the arm assembly body 330′.The first arm assembly drive portion 339 a may be controllable by thefourth integrated motor 339 to drive the first arm assembly body 330′ tomove relative to the first arm assembly joint portion 350. The first armassembly drive portion 339 a may be any mechanism, device, or the like,configurable to drive the first arm assembly body 330′ to move relativeto the first arm assembly joint portion 350. For example, the first armassembly drive portion 339 a may comprise any one or more configurationsor combinations of gears and/or gear assemblies, including straight gearconfigurations, planetary gear configurations, beveled gearconfigurations, spiral beveled gear configurations, hypoid gearconfigurations, helical gear configurations, worm gear configurations,and/or any other gear and/or mechanical configurations (such as wire andpulley) without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.Although the figures illustrate an arm assembly having one first armassembly drive portion 339 a, it is to be understood in the presentdisclosure that the arm assembly may have more than first arm assemblydrive portions 339 a without departing from the teachings of the presentdisclosure.

Although the figures illustrate the first arm assembly (e.g., first armassembly 235, 330) having the first integrated motor 332, secondintegrated motor 334, third integrated motor 336, fourth integratedmotor 339, first instrument drive portion 332 a, second instrument driveportion 334 a, wrist drive portion 336 a, and first arm assembly driveportion 339 a, it is to be understood that the first arm assembly (e.g.,first arm assembly 235, 330) may include the first integrated motor 332,second integrated motor 334, third integrated motor 336, fourthintegrated 339, first instrument drive portion 332 a, second instrumentdrive portion 334 a, wrist drive portion 336 a, and/or first armassembly drive portion 339 a, and/or may also include other integratedmotor(s) and/or other drive portions, without departing from theteachings of the present disclosure. It is also to be understood thatthe first integrated motor 332, second integrated motor 334, thirdintegrated motor 336, fourth integrated motor 339, first instrumentdrive portion 332 a, second instrument drive portion 334 a, wrist driveportion 336 a, and/or first arm assembly drive portion 339 a may belocated, in part or in whole, in the first arm assembly (e.g., first armassembly 235, 330), second arm assembly (e.g., second arm assembly 233,360), and/or any other location without departing from the teachings ofthe present disclosure.

(ii) Second Arm Assembly (e.g., Second Arm Assembly 233, 360)

An example embodiment of the second arm assembly (e.g., second armassembly 233, 360) is illustrated in at least FIGS. 5A-C and 5L-O. Thesecond arm assembly 360 may be securable to the first arm assembly 330on one end and securable to the shoulder section 231 on another end.When secured to the shoulder section 231, the second arm assembly 360may be configurable to move in one or more of a plurality of waysrelative to the shoulder section 231, including, but not limited to,pitch, yaw, and/or roll relative to the shoulder section 231. In anexample embodiment, the second arm assembly 360 may be securable to andunsecurable from (e.g., detached) the first arm assembly 330. Asillustrated in FIGS. 5L-N, the second arm assembly 360 may include asecond arm assembly body or housing (e.g., second arm assembly body360′) having a first end 360 a and a second end 360 b opposite to thefirst end 360 a. The arm assembly joint portion 350 (or elbow section)may be secured to the second end 360 b of the second arm assembly body360′. The shoulder pitch joint portion 370 may be provided at the firstend 360 a of the second arm assembly body 360′. In example embodiments,the shoulder sway joint portion 380 may also be provided at the firstend 360 a of the second arm assembly body 360′. The second arm assemblybody 360′ may securely house one or more of a plurality of driveassemblies.

In an example embodiment, the second arm assembly body 360′ may securelyhouse an elbow drive assembly. The elbow drive assembly may include afifth integrated motor (e.g., fifth integrated motor 362) and an elbowdrive portion (e.g., elbow drive portion 362 a). The elbow drive portion362 a may be provided at the second end 360 b of the second arm assemblybody 360′. The elbow drive portion 362 a may be controllable by thefifth integrated motor 362 to drive the elbow driven portion 352. Theelbow drive portion 362 a may be any mechanism, device, or the like,configurable to drive the elbow driven portion 352. For example, theelbow drive portion 362 a may comprise any one or more configurations orcombinations of gears and/or gear assemblies, including straight gearconfigurations, planetary gear configurations, beveled gearconfigurations, spiral beveled gear configurations, hypoid gearconfigurations, helical gear configurations, worm gear configurations,and/or any other gear and/or mechanical configurations (such as wire andpulley) without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.Although the figures illustrate a second arm assembly having one elbowdrive portion 362 a, it is to be understood in the present disclosurethat the second arm assembly may have more than one elbow drive portions362 a without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.

The second arm assembly body 360′ may also securely house a shoulderpitch drive assembly in example embodiments. The shoulder pitch driveassembly may include a sixth integrated motor (e.g., sixth integratedmotor 364) and a shoulder pitch drive portion (e.g., shoulder pitchdrive portion 364 a). The shoulder pitch drive portion 364 a may beprovided at the first end 360 a of the second arm assembly body 360′.The shoulder pitch drive portion 364 a may be controllable by the sixthintegrated motor 364 to drive the shoulder pitch driven portion 364 b.The shoulder pitch drive portion 364 a may be any mechanism, device, orthe like, configurable to drive the shoulder pitch driven portion 364 b.For example, the shoulder pitch drive portion 364 a may comprise any oneor more configurations or combinations of gears and/or gear assemblies,including straight gear configurations, planetary gear configurations,beveled gear configurations, spiral beveled gear configurations, hypoidgear configurations, helical gear configurations, worm gearconfigurations, and/or any other gear and/or mechanical configurations(such as wire and pulley) without departing from the teachings of thepresent disclosure. Although the figures illustrate a second armassembly having one shoulder pitch drive portion 364 a, it is to beunderstood in the present disclosure that the second arm assembly mayhave more than one shoulder pitch drive portions 364 a without departingfrom the teachings of the present disclosure.

The second arm assembly body 360′ may also securely house a shouldersway drive assembly in example embodiments. The shoulder sway driveassembly may include a seventh integrated motor (e.g., seventhintegrated motor 366) and a shoulder sway drive portion (e.g., shouldersway drive portion 366 a). The shoulder sway drive portion 366 a may beprovided at the first end 360 a of the second arm assembly body 360′.The shoulder sway drive portion 366 a may be controllable by the seventhintegrated motor 366 to drive the first shoulder sway driven portion 366b (which in turn drives the second shoulder sway driven portion 366 c(if needed) and third shoulder sway driven portion 366 d). The shouldersway drive portion 366 a may be any mechanism, device, or the like,configurable to drive the first shoulder sway driven portion 366 b.Furthermore, the first shoulder sway driven portion 366 b may be anymechanism, device, or the like, configurable to drive the secondshoulder sway driven portion 366 c. Furthermore, the second shouldersway driven portion 366 c may be any mechanism, device, or the like,configurable to drive the third shoulder sway driven portion 366 d. Forexample, one or more of the shoulder sway drive portion 366 a, firstshoulder sway driven portion 366 b, second shoulder sway driven portion366 c, and third shoulder sway driven portion 366 d may comprise any oneor more configurations or combinations of gears and/or gear assemblies,including straight gear configurations, planetary gear configurations,beveled gear configurations, spiral beveled gear configurations, hypoidgear configurations, helical gear configurations, worm gearconfigurations, and/or any other gear and/or mechanical configurations(such as wire and pulley) without departing from the teachings of thepresent disclosure. Although the figures illustrate a second armassembly having one shoulder sway drive portion 366 a, one firstshoulder sway driven portion 366 b, one second shoulder sway drivenportion 366 c, one third shoulder sway driven portion 366 d, it is to beunderstood in the present disclosure that the second arm assembly mayhave more than one shoulder sway drive portions 366 a, more than onefirst shoulder sway driven portion 366 b, more than one second shouldersway driven portions 366 c, and/or more than one third shoulder swaydriven portions 366 d without departing from the teachings of thepresent disclosure. Furthermore, it is to be understood in the presentdisclosure that the second arm assembly may or may not have secondshoulder sway driven portion 366 c, and/or may or may not have one ormore additional or other intermediate shoulder sway driven portionsbetween the shoulder sway drive portion 366 a and the third shouldersway driven portion 366 d without departing from the teachings of thepresent disclosure.

Although the figures illustrate the second arm assembly (e.g., secondarm assembly 233, 360) having the fifth integrated motor 362, sixthintegrated motor 364, seventh integrated motor 366, elbow drive portion362 a, shoulder pitch drive portion 364 a, and shoulder sway driveportion 366 a, it is to be understood that the second arm assembly(e.g., second arm assembly 233, 360) may include the fifth integratedmotor 362, sixth integrated motor 364, seventh integrated motor 366,elbow drive portion 362 a, shoulder pitch drive portion 364 a, and/orshoulder sway drive portion 366 a, and/or may also include otherintegrated motor(s) and/or other drive portions, without departing fromthe teachings of the present disclosure. It is also to be understoodthat the fifth integrated motor 362, sixth integrated motor 364, seventhintegrated motor 366, elbow drive portion 362 a, shoulder pitch driveportion 364 a, and/or shoulder sway drive portion 366 a may be located,in part or in whole, in the first arm assembly (e.g., first arm assembly235, 330), second arm assembly (e.g., second arm assembly 233, 360),and/or any other location without departing from the teachings of thepresent disclosure.

Each of the instrument arm assemblies may be securable to (and unsecuredfrom) the anchor ports 216 of the port assembly 210 via a securingportion 231 a of the shoulder section 231. It is recognized in thepresent disclosure that the instrument arm assembly 230, 240 may besecured to the anchor port 216 of the port assembly 210 in theforward-directed position (e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 2B and 3B)and/or the reverse-directed position (e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 2Aand 3A). Furthermore, in example embodiments, the instrument armassembly 230, 240 may or may not be transitioned between theforward-directed position and the reverse-directed position. In exampleembodiments where the instrument arm assembly 230, 240 is transitionablebetween the forward-directed position and the reverse-directed position,such transition may be performable before, during, and/or after thesecuring of the shoulder section 231 to the anchor port 216 of the portassembly 210. For example, in such embodiments, the securing portion 231a may be adjustably changed in position relative to the shoulder section231, such as from the forward-directed position illustrated in FIG. 5Ato the reverse-directed position illustrated in FIG. 5B, and vice versa.

One or more internal temperature control assemblies (not shown) may beprovided for each of the one or more instrument arm assemblies 230, 240.Each internal temperature control assembly may be operable to control(such as reduce) the temperature and/or heat emission of theaforementioned gears and/or gear assemblies, motors, instrument jointportions (such as 232, 370, 380, 234, 236, joint portion along axis A,and/or joint portion along axis B), and/or instrument arm segments (suchas 231, 233, 360, 235, 330, and/or 237). The one or more internaltemperature control assemblies may also be operable to control (such asincrease or decrease) the temperature of the end effector 239, 342, 344(which may be desirable when the end effector 239, 342, 344 is a cuttingtool, or the like). In an example embodiment, the one or more internaltemperature control assemblies may be operable to perform suchtemperature control using one or more gases, liquids, and/or solids. Forexample, the gases and/or liquids may be fed, maintained, and/orregulated using an external source via one or more tubes, or the like.The one or more tubes used to provide, regulate, and/or discharge thegases and/or liquids may have a diameter between about 0.5 mm to 3 mm inexample embodiments, but the dimensions of such tubes may also be moreor less. It is to be understood in the present disclosure that the oneor more tubes (if used), as well any solids (if used), may be providedthrough an interior of the instrument arm assembly without increasingdimensions (such as diameter) of the instrument arm assembly.

When the internal temperature control assembly utilizes gases, or thelike, example embodiments may also be operable to provide such gasesinto the body cavity and/or discharge or recycle such gases outside ofthe body cavity via one or more tubes, or the like. The gases maycomprise carbon dioxide, oxygen, and/or other gases in exampleembodiments. Such gases may be further operable to assist in providingand/or maintaining insufflation of the body cavity, such as via anopening (not shown). When the internal temperature control assemblyutilizes liquids, or the like, example embodiments may be operable todischarge or recycle such liquids outside of the body cavity. When theinternal temperature control assembly utilizes solids, or the like, suchsolids may possess properties that enable the surgical team to changethe temperature of the solids, such as by applying electricity or otherform of energy, so as to control (such as reduce) the temperature and/orheat emission of one or more components of the instrument arm assembly230, 240.

In example embodiments, the internal temperature control assembly mayutilize a combination of gases, liquids, solids, and/or the like withoutdeparting from the teachings of the present disclosure.

After the instrument arm assembly 230, 240 has been inserted andattached (or secured) to the port assembly 210, the end effector 239,342, 344 may be configurable, either manually and/or via the computingdevice (or system), to apply between about 0 to 20 N of force via theintegrated motors 332, 334 when performing surgical actions andprocedures, such as clipping and/or grasping actions. Furthermore, theend effector 239, 342, 344 may be configurable, either manually and/orvia the computing device/controller, to apply between about 0 to 10 N offorce via the integrated motors 332, 334, 336, 338 when performing othersurgical actions and procedures, such as translational, twisting,pulling, and/or pushing actions. It is to be understood in the presentdisclosure that the above range of applicable force are merely anillustration of example embodiments, and as such the range of applicableforce may be smaller or larger than those recited above withoutdeparting from the teachings of the present disclosure.

In an example embodiment, the instrument arm segments, including thefirst instrument arm segment 231, the second instrument arm segment 233,360, the third instrument arm segment 235, 330, and/or the fourthinstrument arm segment 237, may be substantially cylindrical in shape.The instrument arm segments, including the first instrument arm segment231, the second instrument arm segment 233, 360, the third instrumentarm segment 235, 330, and/or the fourth instrument arm segment 237, mayalso be formed in any one of a plurality of other shapes, sizes, and/ordimensions without departing from the teachings of the presentdisclosure.

As described above, the instrument arm assembly 230, 240 may alsoinclude one or more securing portions 231 a. The securing portion 231 amay be attachable or attached to the first instrument arm segment 231, apart of the first instrument arm segment 231, and/or formed as a unitaryarticle with the first instrument arm segment 231. Such securingportions 231 a may be for use in securing the instrument arm assembly230, 240 to the anchor ports 216. Such securing portions 231 a may alsobe for use in performing or assisting in performing the process ofinserting the instrument arm assembly 230, 240 into and securing ontothe port assembly 210 in example embodiments.

After the instrument arm assembly 230 is inserted through the portassembly 210 and into the cavity of a patient (such as a vagina orrectum), the securing portion 231 a of the first instrument arm segment(or shoulder section) 231 may be securely received by the anchor port216 of the port assembly 210.

In an example embodiment, the length of the securing portion 231 a maybe between about 350 to 450 mm, the length of the first instrument armsegment 231 may be between about 15 to 40 mm, the length of the secondinstrument arm segment 233, 360 may be between about 80 to 105 mm, thelength of the third instrument arm segment 235, 330 may be between about65 to 90 mm, the length of the fourth instrument arm segment 237 may bebetween about 5 to 30 mm, and the overall length of the collectiveinstrument arm may be between about 165 to 265 mm. In exampleembodiments, the length of the securing portion 231 a may be betweenabout 340 to 400 mm, the length of the first instrument arm segment 231may be between about 15 to 25 mm, the length of the second instrumentarm segment 233, 360 may be between about 90 to 100 mm, the length ofthe third instrument arm segment 235, 330 may be between about 75 to 85mm, the length of the fourth instrument arm segment 237 may be betweenabout 15 to 25 mm, and the overall length of the collective instrumentarm may be between about 195 to 235 mm. In example embodiments, a lengthof one or more of the instrument arm segments, the securing portion 231a, and/or the end effector 239, 342, 344 may also be adjustable by thecomputing device (or system) of one or more nearby and/or remotelylocated surgical teams 904 before, during, and/or after insertion of theinstrument arm assembly into the cavity of the patient. The outerdiameter of one or more of the instrument arm segments may be about 10to 16 mm. In an example embodiment, the outer diameter of one or more ofthe instrument arm segments may be about 16 mm.

Each of the instrument arm assemblies, including the securing portion231 a, the first instrument arm segment 231, the second instrument armsegment 233, 360, the third instrument arm segment 235, 330, the fourthinstrument arm segment 237, the end effector 239, 342, 344, the firstjoint portion 232, the shoulder sway joint portion 380, the shoulderpitch joint portion 370, the second (or elbow) joint portion 234, 350,the third joint portion 236 (or joint portion along axis B), and/or theinstrument joint 238 (or joint portion along axis A), may be formedusing any one or more of a plurality of materials, such assurgical-grade metals, high-strength aluminum alloys, stainless steel(such as 304/304L, 316/316L, and 420), pure titanium, titanium alloys(such as Ti6Al4V, NiTi), and cobalt-chromium alloys. It is to beunderstood in the present disclosure that other materials may also beused without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.

The Assistant Arm Assemblies (e.g., Assistant Arm Assembly 250, 260)

In an example embodiment, the surgical device 200 may comprise one ormore assistant arm assemblies (e.g., assistant arm assembly 250 or 260)configurable to be inserted into and attach to the port assembly 210. Asillustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B, one or more of the assistantarm assemblies may be a suction/irrigation assembly 250 or an assistantinstrument arm assembly such as a retractor arm assembly 260, and eachof them may include a multi-curvable body 252 or 262, respectively, andan anchoring portion, respectively (e.g., similar to the multi-curvablebody 222 and anchoring portion 220 a of the image capturing assembly220).

As illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B, the suction/irrigationassembly 250 may include an end having a suction port 259 for applying asuction or negative pressure, which may be for use in removing liquids(e.g., blood, etc.) from the cavity of the patient. In respect to theassistant instrument arm assembly 260, the assistant instrument armassembly 260 may include an end having an instrument 269, such as agripper, retractor, cutter, needle, or the like, which may be for use inassisting the one or more instrument arm assemblies 230 and/or 240 inperforming the surgical action.

As illustrated in the example embodiment of FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B,the assistant arm assemblies 250 and/or 260 may comprise amulti-curvable body 252 and/or 262, respectively, attached to their ends(suction port or instrument, respectively). The multi-curvable body 252or 262 may be any elongated multi-curvable body similar to that of theimage capturing assembly 220 described above and in the presentdisclosure that can be controlled/configured by the surgical team 904(such as via the computing device/controller/manipulator/master inputdevice) to, among other things, straighten and/or curve (and hold such astraightness and/or curvature) at one or more of a plurality oflocations along the multi-curvable body 252 or 262, curve (and hold sucha curvature) in one or more of a plurality of curvatures, and/orstraighten and/or curve (and hold such a straightness and/or curvature)in one or more of a plurality of directions. It is to be understoodthat, when the multi-curvable body 252 or 262 is configured to curve atany location along the multi-curvable body 252 or 262, the curve may beheld and/or released (or configured to uncurve, curve less, orstraighten) by the surgical team 904 (such as via the computingdevice/controller/manipulator/master input device).

The multi-curvable body 252 or 262 may be formed in any one or more waysknown in the art. For example, the multi-curvable body 252 or 262 may bea unitary or substantially unitary elongated body having a plurality ofwires, cables, or the like, distributed/run throughout themulti-curvable body 252 or 262 in such a way that a manipulating, suchas a pulling/releasing, shortening/lengthening, tightening/loosening,etc., of one or a combination of such wires, cables, or the like enablesthe above-mentioned curving of one or more locations of themulti-curvable body 252 or 262 in one or more curvatures and in one ormore directions. As another example, the multi-curvable body 252 or 262may include a plurality of segments, each segment linked to an adjacentsegment in such a way that the segment may be controlled/configured tobe pivotly positioned in a plurality of positions relative to theadjacent segment. As another example, the multi-curvable body 252 or 262may include a plurality of springs, gears, motors, etc. for achievingthe above-mentioned curving of one or more locations of themulti-curvable body 252 or 262 in one or more curvatures and in one ormore directions. It is to be understood in the present disclosure thatthe multi-curvable body 252 or 262 may also include a combination of oneor more of the above-mentioned approaches.

The assistant arm assembly 250 or 260 may be secured to the portassembly 210 in one or more of a plurality of ways, including thosedescribed above and in the present disclosure for the instrument armassemblies 230, 240 and/or the image capturing assembly 220. Forexample, the assistant arm assembly 250 or 260 may also comprise ananchoring portion (e.g., similar to the anchoring portion 220 a of theimage capturing assembly 220 and/or the securing portion 231 a of theinstrument arm assembly 220), respectively, operable to attach (orsecure) the assistant arm assembly 250 or 260 to one or more anchorports 216 of the port assembly 210.

In an example embodiment, the multi-curvable body 252 or 262 may each besubstantially cylindrical in shape. The multi-curvable body 252 or 262may also be formed in any one of a plurality of other shapes, sizes,and/or dimensions without departing from the teachings of the presentdisclosure.

In an example embodiment, the length of the multi-curvable body 252 or262 may be between about 170 to 270 mm. In example embodiments, a lengthof multi-curvable body 252 or 262 may also be adjustable by the surgicalteam 904 before, during, and/or after insertion of the camera armassembly into the cavity of the patient. The outer diameter of themulti-curvable body 252 or 262 may be between about 5 to 7 mm. It is tobe understood in the present disclosure that the above dimensions aremerely an illustration of example embodiments, and as such thedimensions may be smaller or larger than those recited above withoutdeparting from the teachings of the present disclosure.

Controller

In example embodiments, the surgical system may include a controller (orcomputing device, manipulator, and/or master input device). Thecontroller may be configurable to perform one or more of a plurality ofoperations in and on the surgical system 200. For example, thecontroller may be configurable to communicate with and/or control one ormore elements of the surgical system 200, such as the external anchor 1or 1000, the port assembly 210, the instrument arm assemblies 230 or240, the image capturing assembly 220, and/or the assistant armassemblies 250 or 260. The controller may be accessible and/orcontrollable by the surgical team 904, and the surgical team may be ableto communicate with and/or control the configuring and/or operation ofthe one or more elements of the surgical system 200. For example, thecontroller may be configurable to control a movement and action of someor all parts of the instrument arm assemblies 230 or 240, the first gateassembly 212 b, the second gate assembly 214 b, the movement and actionof some or all parts of the image capturing assembly 220 (including theimage capturing, temperature control, etc.), the movement and action ofsome or all parts of the multi-curvable body 222 of the image capturingassembly 220, the movement and action of some or all parts of themulti-curvable body 252 or 262 of the assistant arm assemblies, themovement and action of some or all parts of the assistant arm assemblies250 or 260, and the like.

Method of Setting Up the Surgical Device 200 in a Forward-DirectedPosition (e.g., Method 700)

As illustrated in FIG. 7 and FIGS. 8A-E, example embodiments of thesurgical device 200 may be configurable to perform a forward-directedsurgical action or procedure in one of a plurality of ways. In anexample embodiment, the external anchor 1 may be provided andinstalled/anchored to the stationary object. The port assembly 210 maybe provided (e.g., action 702), and the instrument arm assembly may beprovided (e.g., action 704). A second instrument arm assembly may beprovided, as well as the image capturing assembly 220 and/or 320 and anyof the assistant arm assemblies 250 and/or 260 required. The portassembly 210 may be inserted (e.g., action 706) into the opening (andcavity) of the patient and anchored in position using the externalanchor 1 (e.g., action 708), and a workable volume/space in the cavitymay be formed, such as via insufflation using CO₂ and/or other gases,vacuum suction tools, and/or retractable hook tools. The controllableswivel assembly 1000 may also be used in example embodiments. Forexample, a workable abdominal cavity of about 10-12 cm in height may beprovided for the patient. Thereafter, one or more image capturingassemblies 220, one or more assistant arm assemblies (e.g., action 710),and one or more assistant arm assemblies 250 or 260 (if needed) may beinserted into the port assembly 210 via the central access channel 210a, secured to the anchor ports 216, and configured in the cavity of thepatient. A surgical action or procedure may then be performed in anypart, area, and/or quadrant of the cavity of the patient using thesurgical device 200. These processes will now be described below withreferences to at least FIGS. 7, 8A-E, 9B, and 10B.

(1) Providing the External Anchor and Installing the Port Assembly.

In an example embodiment, the external anchor 1 may be provided andinstalled/anchored to one or more stationary objects, such as a siderail 300 of a surgical table/bed, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B. Oneor more segments 2, 6, 10, and 14 of the external anchor 1 may cooperateusing one or more joints 4, 8, 12, and 16 of the external anchor 1 tofix the position (including orientation) of the port assembly 210 in orabout the opening of the patient.

In an example embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B, theexternal anchor 1 may comprise a controllable swivel assembly 1000operable to provide one or more additional in vitro degrees of freedom,such as via a first swivel portion 1002, second swivel portion 1004,and/or third swivel portion 1006. The controllable swivel assembly 1000may further comprise a motor 1002 a for the first swivel portion 1002, amotor 1004 a for the second swivel portion 1004, a motor 1006 a for thethird swivel portion 1006, one or more supporting arms 1008, and one ormore locks 1010.

The first swivel portion 1002 may be operable to provide, as one of thein vitro degrees of freedom, a translational movement of the portassembly 210 along an axis defined by the elongated length of the portassembly 210, as illustrated by the arrow A. In example embodiments, thetranslational movement, as illustrated by arrow A, provided by the firstswivel portion 1002 may be between about 0 to 50 mm.

The controllable swivel assembly 1000 may further comprise a secondswivel portion 1004 operable to provide, as another one of the in vitrodegrees of freedom, a torsional or rotational movement of the portassembly 210 about an axis depicted by axis Y. In example embodiments,the torsional or rotational movement, as illustrated by the arrow B,provided by the second swivel portion 1004 may be between about +/−180degrees.

The controllable swivel assembly 1000 may further comprise a thirdswivel portion 1006 operable to provide, as another one of the in vitrodegrees of freedom, a pivotal or rotational movement of the portassembly 210 about an axis perpendicular to the Y-axis, such as the axisdepicted by axis Z (which comes out of the page). In exampleembodiments, the Z-axis or the center of rotation may be located atabout opening of the patient, such as at the mid-point of the abdominalwall. In example embodiments, the pivotal or rotational movement, asillustrated by the arrow C, provided by the third swivel portion 1006may be between about +/−80 degrees.

It is recognized in the present disclosure that the controllable swivelassembly 1000 may comprise the first swivel portion 1002, second swivelportion 1004, and/or third swivel portion 1006 in example embodiments.The controllable swivel assembly 1000 may further comprise other swivelportions (not shown) when more than three in vitro degrees of freedomand/or movements/rotations other than those providable by the firstswivel portion 1002, second swivel portion 1004, and third swivelportion 1006 are desired and/or required.

The controllable swivel assembly 1000, including the first swivelportion 1002, the second swivel portion 1004, and/or the third swivelportion 1006, may be controllable either locally or remotely by thesurgical team.

In an example embodiment, the port assembly 210 may be installed andsecured to the external anchor 1 or 1000. As illustrated in FIGS. 8A-E,the second end 214 of the port assembly 210 may be inserted into theopening of the patient and into the cavity of the patient and the firstend 212 of the port assembly 210 may be secured to the external anchor 1or 1000. Thereafter, a workable volume/space in the cavity may be formedin the cavity of the patient, such as via insufflation using CO₂ and/orother gases, vacuum suction tools, and/or retractable hook tools. Beforedoing so, the first gate assembly 212 b and the second gate assembly 214b may be expanded to the closed position. Insufflation of the cavity maybe achieved in one or more of a plurality of ways. For example, theinsufflation port of the port assembly 210 may be used to provide therequired insufflation.

(2) Inserting and Attaching the Image Capturing Assembly.

After the workable volume/space in the cavity has been formed and theport assembly 210 is secured in position, as illustrated in FIG. 8A, theimage capturing assembly 220 may be inserted through the central accesschannel 210 a and secured to the anchor port 216 of the port assembly210. To do so while maintaining the workable volume/space, the firstgate assembly 212 b may be configured to the open position while thesecond gate assembly 214 b is configured to the closed position. Oncethe first gate assembly 212 b is in the open position, the imagecapturing assembly 220 may be inserted into the mid section 213. Thefirst gate assembly 212 b may then be configured to the closed positionafter the image capturing assembly 220 passes through the first gateassembly 212 b. The second gate assembly 214 b may then be configured tothe open position. It is recognized in the present disclosure that theworkable volume/space in the cavity is maintained via the insufflationsince the first gate assembly 212 b is configured to the closedposition. Once the second gate assembly 214 b is in the open position,the image capturing assembly 220 may be inserted into the cavity of thepatient and the anchor portion 220 a secured to an anchor port 216. Thesecond gate assembly 214 b may then be configured to the closed positionafter the image capturing assembly 220 passes through the second gateassembly 214 b. The multi-curvable body 222 of the image capturingassembly 220 may then be configured/controlled to curve in one or morelocations along the multi-curvable body 222 so that the image capturingassembly 220 can be directed in a forward-directed position (asillustrated in FIGS. 2B and 3B).

The separate image capturing assembly 320 may also be inserted throughthe port assembly 210 in a similar manner as described above. Onceinserted through the port assembly 210 and into the cavity of thepatient, the separate image capturing assembly 320 may then beattached/secured to the interior wall of the cavity of the patient viathe magnetic anchor 310.

(3) Inserting and Attaching a First Instrument Arm Assembly.

The instrument arm assembly 230 may be inserted through the centralaccess channel 210 a and secured to the anchor port 216 of the portassembly 210. To do so while maintaining the workable volume/space, thefirst gate assembly 212 b may again be configured to the open positionwhile the second gate assembly 214 b is configured to the closedposition. Once the first gate assembly 212 b is in the open position,the instrument arm assembly 230 may be inserted into the mid section213, as illustrated in FIG. 8B. The first gate assembly 212 b may thenbe configured to the closed position after the instrument arm assembly230 passes through the first gate assembly 212 b and into the midsection 213, as illustrated in FIG. 8C. The second gate assembly 214 bmay then be configured to the open position, as illustrated in FIG. 8D.Once the second gate assembly 214 b is in the open position, theinstrument arm assembly 230 may be inserted into the cavity of thepatient and the securing portion 231 a secured to an anchor port 216, asillustrated in FIG. 8E. The second gate assembly 214 b may then beconfigured to the closed position after the instrument arm assembly 230passes through the second gate assembly 214 b.

(5) Inserting and Attaching One or More Additional Instrument ArmAssemblies, One or More Assistant Arm Assemblies, and/or One or MoreAdditional Camera Arm Assemblies.

One or more additional instrument arm assemblies 240, one or moreassistant arm assemblies 250 or 260, and/or one or more additional imagecapturing assemblies (not shown) may also be inserted into the portassembly 210 via the central access channel 210 a in the same manner asdescribed above for the image capturing assembly 220 and the instrumentarm assembly 230.

(6) Unattaching and Removing the Instrument Arm Assembly, ImageCapturing Assembly, and Assistant Arm Assemblies.

The instrument arm assembly 230, image capturing assembly 220, otherinstrument arm assembly 240 (if provided), other image capturingassembly (if provided), and the one or more other assistant armassemblies 250 or 260 (if provided) may be unattached (or unsecured)from the anchor ports 216 and removed from the cavity of the patient viathe central access channel 210 a of the port assembly 210 in asubstantially reverse manner as described above for the inserting andattaching.

Method of Setting Up the Surgical Device 200 in a Reverse-DirectedPosition (e.g., Method 700)

As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8F-K, example embodiments of the surgicaldevice 200 may be configurable to perform a reverse-directed surgicalaction or procedure in one of a plurality of ways. In an exampleembodiment, the external anchor 1 may be provided and installed/anchoredto the stationary object in a similar manner as described above and inthe present disclosure. The port assembly 210 may be provided (e.g.,action 702), and the instrument arm assembly may be provided (e.g.,action 704). A second instrument arm assembly may be provided, as wellas the image capturing assembly 220 and/or 320 and any of the assistantarm assemblies 250 and/or 260 required. The port assembly 210 may beinserted (e.g., action 706) into the opening (and cavity) of the patientand anchored in position using the external anchor 1 (e.g., action 708),and a workable volume/space in the cavity may be formed, such as viainsufflation using CO₂ and/or other gases, vacuum suction tools, and/orretractable hook tools. The controllable swivel assembly 1000 may alsobe used in example embodiments. For example, a workable abdominal cavityof about 10-12 cm in height may be provided for the patient. Thereafter,one or more image capturing assemblies 220, one or more assistant armassemblies (e.g., action 710), and one or more assistant arm assemblies250 or 260 (if needed) may be inserted into the port assembly 210 viathe central access channel 210 a, secured to the anchor ports 216, andconfigured in the cavity of the patient. For the inserting, each of theimage capturing assemblies 220, instrument arm assemblies 230 and/or240, and assistant arm assemblies 250 and/or 260 are inserted in reverseorientation as compared to the forward-directed position described aboveand in the present disclosure. A surgical action or procedure may thenbe performed in any part, area, and/or quadrant of the cavity of thepatient using the surgical device 200. These processes will now bedescribed below with references to at least FIGS. 7, 8F-K, 9B, and 10B.

(1) Providing the External Anchor and Installing the Port Assembly.

In an example embodiment, the port assembly 210 may be installed andsecured to the external anchor 1 or 1000. As illustrated in FIGS. 8A-E,the second end 214 of the port assembly 210 is inserted into the openingof the patient and into the cavity of the patient and the first end 212of the port assembly 210 is secured to the external anchor 1 or 1000.Thereafter, a workable volume/space in the cavity may be formed in thecavity of the patient, such as via insufflation using CO₂ and/or othergases, vacuum suction tools, and/or retractable hook tools. Before doingso, the first gate assembly 212 b and the second gate assembly 214 b maybe expanded to the closed position. Insufflation of the cavity may beachieved in one or more of a plurality of ways. For example, theinsufflation port of the port assembly 210 may be used to provide therequired insufflation.

(2) Inserting and Attaching the Image Capturing Assembly.

After the workable volume/space in the cavity has been formed and theport assembly 210 is secured in position, as illustrated in FIG. 8F, theimage capturing assembly 220 may be inserted with the image capturingbody 224 inserted last through the central access channel 210 a andsecured to the anchor port 216 of the port assembly 210. To do so whilemaintaining the workable volume/space, the first gate assembly 212 b maybe configured to the open position while the second gate assembly 214 bis configured to the closed position. Once the first gate assembly 212 bis in the open position, the image capturing assembly 220 may beinserted into the mid section 213. The first gate assembly 212 b maythen be configured to the closed position after the image capturingassembly 220 passes through the first gate assembly 212 b. The secondgate assembly 214 b may then be configured to the open position. It isrecognized in the present disclosure that the workable volume/space inthe cavity is maintained via the insufflation since the first gateassembly 212 b is configured to the closed position. Once the secondgate assembly 214 b is in the open position, the image capturingassembly 220 may be inserted completely into the cavity of the patientwith the image capturing body 224 being closest to the anchor port 216.The multi-curvable body 222 of the image capturing assembly 220 may thenbe configured/controlled to curve in one or more locations along themulti-curvable body 222 so that the image capturing assembly 220 can bedirected in a reverse-directed position next to the outer surface of theport assembly 210 (as illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 3A). The imagecapturing assembly 220 may then be provided adjacent to the outersurface of the port assembly 210 so that the anchoring portion 220 a ofthe image capturing assembly 220 is adjacent to the anchor port 216. Theanchoring portion 220 a of the image capturing assembly 220 may then besecured to the anchor port 216. The second gate assembly 214 b may beconfigured to the closed position after the image capturing assembly 220passes through the second gate assembly 214 b.

The separate image capturing assembly 320 may also be inserted throughthe port assembly 210 in a similar manner as described above. Onceinserted through the port assembly 210 and into the cavity of thepatient, the separate image capturing assembly 320 may then beattached/secured to the interior wall of the cavity of the patient viathe magnetic anchor 310.

(3) Inserting and Attaching a First Instrument Arm Assembly.

To insert the instrument arm assembly 230 through the central accesschannel 210 a and secure it to the anchor port 216 of the port assembly210 while maintaining the workable volume/space, the first gate assembly212 b may again be configured to the open position while the second gateassembly 214 b is configured to the closed position. Once the first gateassembly 212 b is in the open position, the instrument arm assembly 230may be inserted with the end effector 239, 342, 344 inserted last intothe mid section 213, as illustrated in FIG. 8G. The first gate assembly212 b may then be configured to the closed position after the instrumentarm assembly 230 passes through the first gate assembly 212 b and intothe mid section 213, as illustrated in FIG. 8H. The second gate assembly214 b may then be configured to the open position, as illustrated inFIG. 8I. Once the second gate assembly 214 b is in the open position,the instrument arm assembly 230 may be inserted completely into thecavity of the patient with the end effector 239, 342, 344 being closestto the anchor port 216, as illustrated in FIG. 8J. The instrument armassembly 230 may then be turned 180 degrees (if needed) and/or moved sothat the instrument arm assembly 230 can be brought next to the outersurface of the port assembly 210. The instrument arm assembly 230 maythen be pulled adjacent to the outer surface of the port assembly 210 sothat the securing portion 231 a of the shoulder section 231 of theinstrument arm assembly 230 is adjacent to the anchor port 216. Thesecuring portion 231 a of the instrument arm assembly 230 may then besecured to the anchor port 216, as illustrated in FIG. 8K. The secondgate assembly 214 b may be configured to the closed position at any timeafter at least the end effector 230 of the instrument arm assembly 230passes through the second gate assembly 214 b.

(5) Inserting and Attaching One or More Additional Instrument ArmAssemblies, One or More Assistant Arm Assemblies, and/or One or MoreAdditional Camera Arm Assemblies.

One or more additional instrument arm assemblies 240, one or moreassistant arm assemblies 250 or 260, and/or one or more additional imagecapturing assemblies (not shown) may also be inserted and installed in areverse-directed manner via the central access channel 210 a of the portassembly 210 in the same manner as described above for the imagecapturing assembly 220 and the instrument arm assembly 230.

(6) Unattaching and Removing the Instrument Arm Assembly, ImageCapturing Assembly, and Assistant Arm Assemblies.

The instrument arm assembly 230, image capturing assembly 220, otherinstrument arm assembly 240 (if provided), other image capturingassembly (if provided), and the one or more other assistant armassemblies 250 or 260 (if provided) may be unattached (or unsecured)from the anchor ports 216 and removed from the cavity of the patient viathe central access channel 210 a of the port assembly 210 in asubstantially reverse manner as described above for the inserting andattaching in the reverse-directed manner.

While various embodiments in accordance with the disclosed principleshave been described above, it should be understood that they have beenpresented by way of example only, and are not limiting. Thus, thebreadth and scope of the example embodiments described in the presentdisclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplaryembodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the claimsand their equivalents issuing from this disclosure. Furthermore, theabove advantages and features are provided in described embodiments, butshall not limit the application of such issued claims to processes andstructures accomplishing any or all of the above advantages.

For example, “assembly,” “device,” “portion,” “segment,” “member,”“body,” or other similar terms should generally be construed broadly toinclude one part or more than one part attached or connected together.

Various terms used herein have special meanings within the presenttechnical field. Whether a particular term should be construed as such a“term of art” depends on the context in which that term is used.“Connected,” “connecting,” “attached,” “attaching,” “anchored,”“anchoring,” “in communication with,” “communicating with,” “associatedwith,” “associating with,” or other similar terms should generally beconstrued broadly to include situations where attachments, connections,and anchoring are direct between referenced elements or through one ormore intermediaries between the referenced elements. These and otherterms are to be construed in light of the context in which they are usedin the present disclosure and as one of ordinary skill in the art wouldunderstand those terms in the disclosed context. The above definitionsare not exclusive of other meanings that might be imparted to thoseterms based on the disclosed context.

As referred to in the present disclosure, a computing device,controller, manipulator, master input device, a processor, and/or asystem may be a virtual machine, computer, node, instance, host, and/ordevice in a networked or non-networked computing environment. Anetworked computing environment may be a collection of devices connectedby communication channels that facilitate communications between devicesand allow devices to share resources. Also as referred to in the presentdisclosure, a computing device may be a device deployed to execute aprogram operating as a socket listener and may include softwareinstances.

Resources may encompass any type of resource for running instancesincluding hardware (such as servers, clients, mainframe computers,networks, network storage, data sources, memory, central processing unittime, scientific instruments, and other computing devices), as well assoftware, software licenses, available network services, and othernon-hardware resources, or a combination thereof.

A networked computing environment may include, but is not limited to,computing grid systems, distributed computing environments, cloudcomputing environment, etc. Such networked computing environmentsinclude hardware and software infrastructures configured to form avirtual organization comprised of multiple resources that may be ingeographically disperse locations.

Furthermore, the coverage of the present application and any patentsissuing from the present application may extend to one or morecommunications protocols, including TCP/IP.

Words of comparison, measurement, and timing such as “at the time,”“equivalent,” “during,” “complete,” and the like should be understood tomean “substantially at the time,” “substantially equivalent,”“substantially during,” “substantially complete,” etc., where“substantially” means that such comparisons, measurements, and timingsare practicable to accomplish the implicitly or expressly stated desiredresult.

Additionally, the section headings herein are provided for consistencywith the suggestions under 37 C.F.R. 1.77 or otherwise to provideorganizational cues. These headings shall not limit or characterize theinvention(s) set out in any claims that may issue from this disclosure.Specifically, a description of a technology in the “Background” is notto be construed as an admission that technology is prior art to anyinvention(s) in this disclosure. Furthermore, any reference in thisdisclosure to “invention” in the singular should not be used to arguethat there is only a single point of novelty in this disclosure.Multiple inventions may be set forth according to the limitations of themultiple claims issuing from this disclosure, and such claimsaccordingly define the invention(s), and their equivalents, that areprotected thereby. In all instances, the scope of such claims shall beconsidered on their own merits in light of this disclosure, but shouldnot be constrained by the headings herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A surgical system for use in performing asurgical action, the surgical system comprising: an end-effectorassembly, the end-effector assembly having: a surgical instrument; and awrist assembly securable to the surgical instrument; a first armassembly securable to the wrist assembly at one end and securable to anelbow section at another end; and a second arm assembly, the second armassembly having: a second arm assembly body having a first end and asecond end opposite to the first end, the first end connected to theelbow section and the second end connected to a shoulder section; and ashoulder drive assembly housed in the second arm assembly body, theshoulder drive assembly having a first integrated motor and a shoulderdrive portion, wherein the shoulder drive portion is controllable by thefirst integrated motor to move the second arm assembly relative to theshoulder section.
 2. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein thesurgical instrument is configurable to move relative to a first axis;and wherein the wrist assembly is configurable to move the surgicalinstrument relative to a second axis different from the first axis. 3.The surgical system of claim 1, further comprising a port assembly;wherein the second arm assembly is securable to the port assembly viathe shoulder section.
 4. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein theshoulder drive assembly is configurable to move the second arm assemblyin a first direction relative to the shoulder section; wherein thesecond arm assembly further comprises: a second shoulder drive assemblyhoused in the second arm assembly body, the second shoulder driveassembly having a second integrated motor and a second shoulder driveportion, wherein the second shoulder drive portion is controllable bythe second integrated motor to move the second arm assembly in a seconddirection relative to the shoulder section, the second directiondifferent from the first direction.
 5. The surgical system of claim 1,wherein the end-effector assembly is securable to and unsecurable fromthe first arm assembly.
 6. The surgical system of claim 5, wherein thesurgical instrument is configurable to secure to and unsecure from theend-effector assembly.
 7. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein thesurgical instrument is configurable to further receive a first electriccurrent applied from an energy source so as to perform the actions of anelectrosurgical instrument.
 8. A surgical system for use in performing asurgical action, the surgical system comprising: an end-effectorassembly, the end-effector assembly having: a surgical instrument; and awrist assembly securable to the surgical instrument; a first armassembly securable to the wrist assembly at one end and securable to anelbow section at another end; and a second arm assembly, the second armassembly having: a first shoulder drive assembly housed in the secondarm assembly, the first shoulder drive assembly having a firstintegrated motor and a first shoulder drive portion, wherein the firstshoulder drive portion is controllable by the first integrated motor tomove the second arm assembly in a first direction relative to theshoulder section; and a second shoulder drive assembly housed in thesecond arm assembly, the second shoulder drive assembly having a secondintegrated motor and a second shoulder drive portion, wherein the secondshoulder drive portion is controllable by the second integrated motor tomove the second arm assembly in a second direction relative to theshoulder section.
 9. The surgical system of claim 8, wherein thesurgical instrument is configurable to move relative to a first axis;and wherein the wrist assembly is configurable to move the surgicalinstrument relative to a second axis different from the first axis. 10.The surgical system of claim 8, further comprising a port assembly;wherein the second arm assembly is securable to the port assembly viathe shoulder section.
 11. The surgical system of claim 8, wherein theend-effector assembly is securable to and unsecurable from the first armassembly.
 12. The surgical system of claim 8, wherein the surgicalinstrument is configurable to secure to and unsecure from theend-effector assembly.
 13. The surgical system of claim 8, wherein thesurgical instrument is configurable to receive a first electric currentapplied from an energy source so as to perform the actions of anelectrosurgical instrument.
 14. A surgical system for use in performinga surgical action, the surgical system comprising: a surgical arm, thesurgical arm including: an end-effector assembly, the end-effectorassembly having: a surgical instrument; and a wrist assembly securableto the surgical instrument; a first arm assembly securable to the wristassembly at one end and securable to an elbow section at another end;and a second arm assembly, the second arm assembly having: a second armassembly body having a first end and a second end opposite to the firstend, the first end connected to the elbow section; and a second armassembly drive assembly housed in the second arm assembly body, thesecond arm assembly drive assembly having a first integrated motor and asecond arm assembly drive portion, wherein the second arm assembly driveportion is controllable by the first integrated motor to move the secondarm assembly relative to the port assembly; and a port assembly, theport assembly having an elongated body with a channel through theelongated body, the channel configurable to allow the surgical arm topass through the port assembly, the port assembly further including ananchor port configurable to secure the second end of the second armassembly to the port assembly.
 15. The surgical system of claim 14,wherein the surgical instrument is configurable to move relative to afirst axis; and wherein the wrist assembly is configurable to move thesurgical instrument relative to a second axis different from the firstaxis.
 16. The surgical system of claim 14, wherein the end-effectorassembly is securable to and unsecurable from the first arm assembly.17. The surgical system of claim 16, wherein the surgical instrument isconfigurable to secure to and unsecure from the end-effector assembly.18. The surgical system of claim 14, wherein the surgical instrument isconfigurable to further receive a first electric current applied from anenergy source so as to perform the actions of an electrosurgicalinstrument.